It is officially summer.
No matter what the calendar or the thermometer say, in my book, summer has officially begun.
This is the fourth summer I have kicked off in the same way. Sitting watching girls in leotards and boys in shorts and t-shirts show their gymnastic skills.
And then there’s the drive home at dusk. With the lightning bugs and the smell of everything summer in the air that envelops me like a warm bath.
Yes. It’s definitely summer.
Tonight’s gymnastic recital brought back memories of the others–the first and only one my Mama attended, the one she enjoyed so much. The one when my little guy and his buddies did a “Mission Impossible” routine. The one that I left the kitten I was bottle feeding to attend. So many memories, and tonight was memory-making all by itself.
Cooter doing synchronized, paired cartwheels with his best bud. His smile as he worked his way around the horse. Watching him PLANK. (He never mentioned he could do any of these things!) Sitting with his friends watching the others perform, singing along to the different songs. Our Princess doing the floor routine with a little dance to it. Watching her mouth the words to the song playing while she was walking the balance beam, dipping her toes “in chocolate.” Looking over to see her fanning herself, her sign language that she was nervous–always with the super big smile and that sweet wave. The moment she went over and told her brother what a great job he did after his performance. Seeing the joyful and anxious faces in the room, and hoping that each one of them felt good about what they did and happy when the night was over.
There was one little girl, maybe five, who was in a class of girls who took turns doing their stunts on the mini-trampoline. Each time she came up and finished, she threw her arms up as they had all been instructed. And she waited.
For the applause.
Sooooo cute.
And of course the applause came. It came for each one who took the time to stop for a minute. And for those who just finished and ran back to their spot. But this little girl. She stood and soaked it in with her big ol’ smile and sweet spirit.
That right there.
What a precious thing to see, this little one who was loving every minute of her life and KNEW she’d just done something fabulous and let all the rest of us celebrate that with her.
Because that’s what it seemed like. Our applause was a part of her celebration, her victory, her accomplishing something really, really BIG.
And she had done just that.
The applause tonight did other things too–it encouraged each child. Each turn the gymnasts came back more ready and excited than the last–encouraged by the applause from the previous round. And it served as a balm to the souls of the ones who hadn’t made the perfect landing. Or done the best cartwheel. It celebrated showing up. And that’s always worth honoring.
Tonight I’m thankful for another year of growth and learning and good health with great gymnastics teachers who make it fun and safe for my children. I am thankful for the ones who came out and made my littles feel celebrated and loved tonight–for them showing up. I give thanks for the friends my children and I have made over the course of their years in this fabulous program. I am grateful for the memories I have and the memories we made tonight of this special culmination of hard work, dedication, and fun. And finally, my heart is filled with appreciation for the frog music, lightning bugs, and summer night sky that serenaded us home tonight.
May we all find someone to applaud and celebrate with–and when we do something absolutely fabulous, may there be someone there to celebrate us. Most of all, may we all make the effort to show up…..and celebrate those who do.
Happy Summer, y’all! Merry memory making!
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 