I missed Henry's first swim meet, which was Sunday, because I went home to say goodbye to Les. I found myself wracked with Mommy-guilt as I prepared for the trip, hand-wringing over the decision. Henry was less emotional. Before I left, he said, "It's ok Mom. I'll be fine. But when you get back, will you please stop crying?"
I'm still working on that.
I had the next best thing to being there, though, on my drive back to Iowa Sunday morning. Tim texted me the play-by-play on the way. As I read the updates, I realized it was probably a good thing I wasn't at the pool. I would have been more nervous than the kid, and I, no doubt, would have made him a mess in the process.
The iPhone commentary went something like this:
I'd call that a win.
Even better, he left the meet stoked about swimming and said, "I can't wait for my next meet!"
And in honor of the DQs, we took him for a M&Ms mini blizzard that night.
I'm still working on that.
I had the next best thing to being there, though, on my drive back to Iowa Sunday morning. Tim texted me the play-by-play on the way. As I read the updates, I realized it was probably a good thing I wasn't at the pool. I would have been more nervous than the kid, and I, no doubt, would have made him a mess in the process.
The iPhone commentary went something like this:
Tim: Chaos. Or so it seems to me. He's been Sharpie'd though, so he looks like he fits in. (Sharpie'd: had his races and lane assignments written in black permanent marker on his arm)
Tim: He's warming up. I'm nervous for him. His start looks waaaay better than a couple days ago.
Me: Crossing my fingers!
Tim: DQ. (disqualified)
Me: Shoot.
Tim: He's OK with it, I think.
Me: Tell him I'm proud no matter what!
Tim: Backstroke in about 10 minutes.
Tim: (10 minutes later)...Oh dear.
Me: What???
Tim: False start. And they couldn't get him to stop. So he did the whole thing solo.
Tim: Big ovation at the end
Me: Was he the false start?
Tim: Yep.
Me: Oh well.
Tim: Ya. Went again with the big kids. DQ.
Me: Tell him not to be too bummed.
Tim: He's fine. They gave him a ribbon.
Me: One more to go!
Tim: Yep. H is up again in about 5 minutes.
Tim: He didn't DQ this time! He didn't win. But he didn't DQ!
I'd call that a win.
Even better, he left the meet stoked about swimming and said, "I can't wait for my next meet!"
And in honor of the DQs, we took him for a M&Ms mini blizzard that night.
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