When it comes to your kids, there is no better way to teach them about life, or how to handle things, than to lead by example. Staying active, participating in sports, or exercising on your own is so important when it comes to teaching skills in life. You learn how to mange your time, to focus and concentrate on things at the time, and to not only perform for your own individual goals, but to learn to work as a team. Life is a continuous struggle, but running, walking, biking, swimming, or whatever your favorite activity may be, will help you learn how to do things better. All 3 of my kids are now in college, learning to juggle schedules, managing time, and yet still try to have fun and enjoy life. Hopefully we have taught them adequately how to do this. Teaching them not only by continuously talking with them, and showing up at their events cheering them on, but by them watching us do our activities, and compete in racing events here. As my daughter reminded me here this last weekend when she called from school: “When are you going to showcase us on the blog, and talk about how we are superstars!” Well, Megan…here you go!
Megan was our born fish! Ever since she was little, all she wanted to do was be in the water. It is only fitting that her sport was swimming. She started when she was 10, and swam all through high school, and even swims now at college on the swim club. She gets to travel to different large universities and compete. She was a graceful swimmer, and it was fun to watch her, especially the backstroke. Effortless! Swimming is not my sport…I have to think too much trying. We all have our different talents, but the skill comes in continuing to push yourself. Your only limitation is the space between your ears!
Here she is taking off at the start of her backstroke. Perseverance is the key to any sport or activity. You have to keep trying…keep working…never settle for just being OK.
You are our superstar swimmer Meg! It was fun watching all those years. Never give up on yourself…if you take on life like you do swimming, there will be no stopping you!
Molly started coming into her own in High School with running. She always wanted to be a sprinter in track, but she was deep down a distance runner. Sorry Molly…but that is where your talent truly was. She was our “jack of all trades” sport participant. Gymnastics, soccer, softball, band, cross country, track. She wanted to do it all. Eventually things had to give, and she had to pick and choose, so she did more running as far as school activity. She played softball in the summer.
She was a hard worker, and never gave in. She was proud to be the first recipient of the Godfrey Award for participation in Track and Cross Country. And so were we! A very special award for a “super star” runner.
Keep up the running Molly. Will you be the first one to run a marathon with me???? Time will tell. Just don’t give up. You have many talents …never forget that!
Nick took off in running like Megan did with swimming. He ran more middle distance in track, and they were shorter races, but yet you had to have the stamina of a distance runner.
Lots of traveling involved going to all of your Cross Country races in the Fall. You were a great example leading your Arrow teammates, and showing leadership. They looked up to you, and often times it was commented how well the Arrow boys worked together as a team.
You liked doing different things in the summer as a break also, so you did many years of softball. Lots of games and championship competition that we saw with you as well. Learning to work together as a team, and showing good sportsmanship. It was fun to watch you!
Your true favorite sport was track…you loved the middle distance…800 meters. And, you were good at it! You have to have speed and endurance. Way to go all of those years!
Many times we would be cheering you down the home stretch! It was a proud moment for Sarah and I at Track awards when it was your turn…Just like Molly, you won the Godfrey Award for Cross Country and Track! Now is that cool or what? You guys all learned to compete, to show good sportsmanship, and win or lose gracefully. That makes the 3 of you all of “my heroes”! Your High School days of competing may be done, but hopefully the tone has been set for you all to keep staying active. You have seen your mom and I doing this your entire lives. Something was bound to wear off. Just remember, in life you are always coming down different “home stretches”. There is always another goal to achieve, an accomplishment to reach, a setback to endure. Just like sports and activities. It has set the tone for you to succeed in life. Remember that! Set your sites high, and continue to work on new goals. I have no doubts that you will all succeed! We will always be your mom and dad, and will be “cheering” for you along the way! All the Way! Forever! Love you!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2939
