SwimMom Musings: Counting Your Blessings

Courtesy of Donna Hale

Swimmers are fortunate to enjoy many blessings that sometime elude us mere mortals. In honor of Thanksgiving Day, here are just a few.

Friendships that run deep and span time and space. As anyone whose been with the sport of swimming knows, there is no better fraternity than your fellow swimmers. You endure grueling sets that would reduce athletes in other sports to tears. You have your own language that even your parents don’t get. Words like taper and shave mean something special to your water logged friends. And you have an entire cadre of very broad shoulders to lean on. You have friendships that will span a lifetime.

Coaches who mentor and support you even when you are a royal pain. When you exit the pool after a swim be it good or bad, whose reaction are you looking for? Your coach. Cause you know you will hear the truth — even if it hurts. But you will also get feedback you need to be better. Your coach is your lifeline, your critic and might even know who you are as a swimmer better than you know yourself

Parents who rock. Yes swimmers none of this would have happened without their support. They wash your towels, drive you to practices in the cold darkness, and cheer you on. They are your greatest advocates. One day long into the future you will realize what they sacrificed to give you this special opportunity.

The chance to live your passion. So many people stumble through life trying to figure out what they love and what inspires them. You already know. That is s blessing. It is something only other swimmers get. Plus how many of your friends can eat two dinners and still have bodies that models would envy.

Count your blessings and Swim On.

Donna Hale has been a swim mom for 12 years as well as executive of several nonprofit organizations. She volunteers regularly for her daughter Hannah’s USA Team The Potomac Marlins, summer team Burke Station Destroyers, and Lake Braddock Swim and Dive Bruins.