She Kicks Like a Girl
It amazes me how many new things I can learn in a single day, week, month, or year. If I thought about it, I would bet I learn something new on a regular basis. As a parent we try to teach our children about life, but I believe they teach us more than we realize. My children have taught me many valuable lessons, that I would call golden gems.
When my daughter was a junior in high school she came to me and said she wanted to be the kicker for the varsity football team. I chuckled and basically brushed the idea aside. She was an excellent soccer player which gave her a definite advantage, however, I ignored her statement and assumed it was a passing whim. Her junior year came and went without any other conversations, and I didn’t give it a second thought.
The summer between her junior and senior year, she once again declared she wanted to be the varsity kicker, but this time she had more confidence and conviction in her statement. She told me she was going to talk to the varsity football coach, and set up a meeting prior to pre-season camp. Again, I thought she was kidding…….she wasn’t!
At first, the coach was very skeptical of her request, but agreed to have her come to camp to try-out. Within a short amount of time, the coach could see how serious she was, and his entire attitude changed; he became a believer. She was the one that stayed long after camp ended to practice, and worked hard to become the best kicker possible. I remember after a scrimmage game, I was out on the field talking to the coach, and he was telling me how she never quits. That night the other players were long gone, and she was still under the lights trying to perfect her aim and distance. He finally ordered her to stop because he wanted to go home.
As a new parent of the team I was unsure how she would be received, but once they saw her abilities, they welcomed us both with open arms. Her soccer coach, however, couldn’t have been angrier. He was afraid his starting center-mid might risk injury, and let the football coach know she was to be protected at all costs, and insisted on a no contact rule…..hip hip hooray! She was however, the season’s varsity starter for PATs and field goals.
What a valuable lesson that was for me, and so many of her teammates. She was also a wonderful role model for every girl in the school. She didn’t let stereotypes or the doubters stop her from pursuing her dream.
Some say she kicks like a girl ……You bet she kicks like a girl….with confidence, conviction and strength. My daughter inspires me everyday.
xoxox…..Sheryl
