I have been blessed with children, who besides having a high tolerance for left-overs, are pride bursting athletes.
First my son, then my daughter learned to ride a bike with no training wheels at three.
First my son, then my daughter happily rode their little legs off for miles next to a jogging mommy on the bike trail.
First my son, then my daughter showed early skills for everything soccer.
First my son, then my daughter took to baseball/softball like a duck to water.
First my son, then right on his heels, my daughter whooshed down ski slopes without fear.
First my son, then my daughter rode and jumped anything with wheels – bikes, scooters, roller skates/blades, electric scooters and motorcycles.
So, until recently, quick learner Whitney was content to follow in Logan’s extremely coordinated footsteps. She seemed pretty resigned that he was older and bigger and his strength and agility developing first would usually give him first shot at all new athletic opportunities.
But then a funny thing happened. Whitney didn’t have to wait to be big enough and old enough anymore and therefore didn’t have to wait in line behind Logan or just observe.
Add to the equation that she is a stubborn, motivated, fearless girl.
Then just add water.
First my daughter, then my son who was afraid to put his face in the water, swam like dolphins.
First my daughter, then my son who was a little nervous about the deep end, dove like Greg Louganis.
First my daughter, then my son who didn’t like water in his eyes or goggles, dove to the deep end to retrieve pool toys.
First my daughter tried water skiing and then immediately jumped to wake surfing instantly in love with a new sport.
And made even better because her brother could not, would not, nervously refused to try it.
As she rode laps around the lake beaming with accomplishment at something uniquely her own, Logan watching grudgingly impressed from the boat, I realized she was the second fiddle no more in her brother’s symphony.
And her daddy’s assessment of his daughter’s bursting forth in her own right on the water sports scene?
“Couldn’t she have excelled in a sport where she wouldn’t be wearing a bikini?”
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