Wasn’t the weather just glorious today? I was fortunate enough to spend most of the day outdoors, starting with my first early-morning run of the summer, then on to chaperoning at Sara’s 8th grade picnic at Centennial Lake, then a walk along one of the paths near our home with a dear friend and lastly, watching Evan try to get through his first swim team practice (of his life) without giving up and going home. It was a bit overwhelming when the coach told a large group of about fifty 11-18 year olds (which meant there were kids there twice his size) to just jump in for a 100-yard warm up with kick-turns at each 25, then on to one-armed butterfly drills. Huh? He tried his incredibly valiant best, but he did end up stopping early because he was clearly the least experienced there and there was no provision or instruction for someone his age with his level of inexperience. Everyone else had been on the team before and knew the routine. He was definitely at a disadvantage. He has committed to try again, and I’m plenty proud of him for trying, but MAN, I would have been scared out of my wits. He is now thinking maybe of joining the Howard County Jr. Striders because, in his own wise words, “Humans were made to run more than they were made to swim.” I’m inclined to support him in that decision.

Highlights of today:

• Sara voluntarily introduced me to her friends at the picnic. That was a really pleasant surprise for me. Then one of her other friends recognized me from a trip to the mall (I am one of those medieval parents who won’t let my kids run free in the mall-I go with them) and actually came up and gave me a hug. Voluntary, positive attention from teens always makes me happy.
• Evan was terrified (several of my kids have my fear of crowds) and discouraged and out of breath and feeling stupid because he didn’t know how to do what the coach asked, but he jumped back in anyway. What a trooper.
• The other adults at swim team practice and all of the darling teen-aged coaches were so kind to Evan and encouraged and praised him. A couple of these stellar folks even got him to smile through his frustration. That warmed my heart.
• My friend and I got to walk and talk in the golden afternoon light. That is always a good thing.