sk8ingMom
11-04-2003, 12:42 AM
I found this on another message board and thought it was great, and I wanted to share with everyone. I think this is also good for the underdogs going to Jr. Nationals. Enjoy~
This is for all those skaters competing in the remaining regionals who truly have the capability, PLUS some of the extras that they don't even realize, to make it to the top. We don't have to name names because we watch you every day, and somedays it seems that the jumps just aren't quite there, leaving you with doubt. But...you are the skaters who try your best, are good sports, have friends and parents who help to keep things in perspective.
We can see all of your faces right now --the ones who congratulate other skaters at competitions and test sessions and offer support to their skating buddies who don't always have a medal around their necks. You may not always know what to say to someone on the verge of tears, but you stand by them. You stay and watch your friends compete. You respect everyone regardless of who has a used dress, an inexperienced make-up application. or a low placement in a competition, and you don't find tacky ways to point things like that out. You respect other skaters' lesson time with your same coach and don't interrupt or demand attention. You continue to work hard even when your coach leaves the ice and your parents go run an errand.
May you all have the skate of your young lives--like Tara in her long in Nagano and Sarah in Salt Lake, both underdogs. Skate for yourself, not your mom or your coach. May you leave the ice with the feeling that YOU did YOUR BEST and may it show on your face. I hope you take in that moment, and not be calculating which publicity picture to put in any program. You have the love and admiration of your fellow skaters right now no matter how you place, and please know that they will feel the same about you when you come home. You are truly a champion and a winner for life.
Wishing all these skaters the very best, the ones who may not be discussed on the board--the underdogs. WE LOVE YOU AND GOOD LUCK!
This is for all those skaters competing in the remaining regionals who truly have the capability, PLUS some of the extras that they don't even realize, to make it to the top. We don't have to name names because we watch you every day, and somedays it seems that the jumps just aren't quite there, leaving you with doubt. But...you are the skaters who try your best, are good sports, have friends and parents who help to keep things in perspective.
We can see all of your faces right now --the ones who congratulate other skaters at competitions and test sessions and offer support to their skating buddies who don't always have a medal around their necks. You may not always know what to say to someone on the verge of tears, but you stand by them. You stay and watch your friends compete. You respect everyone regardless of who has a used dress, an inexperienced make-up application. or a low placement in a competition, and you don't find tacky ways to point things like that out. You respect other skaters' lesson time with your same coach and don't interrupt or demand attention. You continue to work hard even when your coach leaves the ice and your parents go run an errand.
May you all have the skate of your young lives--like Tara in her long in Nagano and Sarah in Salt Lake, both underdogs. Skate for yourself, not your mom or your coach. May you leave the ice with the feeling that YOU did YOUR BEST and may it show on your face. I hope you take in that moment, and not be calculating which publicity picture to put in any program. You have the love and admiration of your fellow skaters right now no matter how you place, and please know that they will feel the same about you when you come home. You are truly a champion and a winner for life.
Wishing all these skaters the very best, the ones who may not be discussed on the board--the underdogs. WE LOVE YOU AND GOOD LUCK!