Thursday, February 18, 2010

Swimming Lesson

Kyle is 6'2" and weighs about 140 pounds. He's been on the skinny-scale since infancy; note the bone-thin legs in this shot, for example...


(I don't know why no one ever reported us for suspicion of starving our kid!)

When he was six, and then seven, and then eight, I tried putting Kyle in swimming lessons at the local pool. $30 for four-to-six weeks of 30-minute lessons, a couple of times per week. Now remember, this is Wisconsin, so summer temperatures are not always warm, and indoor pools can be chilly at times, which is not conducive to keeping warm; skinny Wisconsin kids don't stand a chance in such conditions. It was fine when it was his turn, but the rest of the time, he'd be clinging to the side of the pool, teeth chattering, lips turning purple, etc. Although he liked the idea of swimming lessons, it just never worked out. I finally gave up on the lessons.

Then, someone suggested that I try private lessons, so I drove Kyle all the way to Tinytown and hired a high school kid to give him private lessons for $10 a shot. Within three one-on-one lessons, he was swimming like a fish, and the rest is history. He even joined a swim team that year. We have video from a meet that year, swimming the butterfly stroke his first (and last) time. He was in the water a full, agonizing minute or more past the time the other kids were out of the pool; it was painful to watch. He had fun that year but said he didn't like being cold waiting his turn for events at swim meets. He finished out the year, and that was it. Or so I thought.

Flash forward five years to tenth grade; Kyle decided to join the Tinytown High School swim team and lettered his first year! Last year (11th grade), he did the same and was elected by his teammates to receive the "Sportsmanship" award at the end of the season. He's loved being in Swim.

A few weeks ago, when we heard Kyle was swimming butterfly in the 100 meter Individual Medley at a meet, Mr.4444 and I looked at each other in surprise and winced, but our eyes opened wide as we watched our boy gracefully glide through the strokes. No, he didn't take first, or even second place, and probably not even third (I don't remember), but he surprised us both and filled our hearts with joy for his willingness to even try it and for his maturity as a swimmer. (And he didn't turn blue, either!)

On Monday night, at the end-of-the-year swim banquet, Coach addressed each swimmer individually. Kyle, being a veteran and senior, was last to be recognized. The plaque for being Team Captain this year was expected,


but the Sportsmanship and Most Valuable Swimmer awards, too?! What a Proud Mom moment! I cannot express the depth of my joy in seeing this kid get validation of his hard work and dedication. He's grown into such a strong, hard-working, leader. Can a parent ask for anything more?

The answer is yes, actually; I've been hounding him like crazy to finish his Eagle Project paperwork. Hey, he's not out of the nest yet!

26 comments:

  1. Congrats! He really is a great kid.

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  2. Congrats!!! Watching our kids persevere makes our hearts swell, but when it's recognized by someone OUTSIDE the family, that's even better!

    Yep, onward to the Eagle Project!!!

    Lucy

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  3. What an inspirational story! That is so awesome he received all those awards and doesn't turn blue anymore while waiting his turn! Yea Kyle!

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  4. That makes me proud just reading it! I bet he's proud of himself as well. What a great post!

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  5. Great post! Great Kid! Great Parents!

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  6. Check out my blog. I left some sunshine for you!

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  7. Congrats! What wonderful accomplishments!

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  8. Woohoo Kyle! Congratulations to him.
    Yes, on to that Eagle project! I showed TT his picture and told him about it. TT just finished his Wolf Trail so he will get his Wolf Badge at the Blue & Gold banquet. He was pretty impressed to know Kyle is working on his Eagle.

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  9. What a keeper! I love those proud mom moments. And congrats on the upcoming Eagle. It was a lot of work, but so worth it for my boys.

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  10. Do I hear some buttons poppin' here? Rightfully so, proud Mama! You have raised an awesome dude there.

    Now maybe a swift kick in the pants to make the Eagles fly? Heeehehe!!

    Have a great day enjoying your many blessings!!!

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  11. Wow!! Yay Kyle!! I got goose bumps reading this! Congrats to Kyle and both you and Mr4444!

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  12. Being a member of his body type, I can relate!

    That is fantastic! I'm sure you are both proud!

    See? your dilligence helped make that happen. Good for you too!

    Olympics?

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  13. oh.. and you still look the same minus a few inches of hair.

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  14. It just goes to prove that a spirit of dedication, along with hard work and perseverance really do pay off. And the support, love and guidance of good parents.

    Congratulations to Kyle, and to his proud parents.

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  15. You have every right to be a proud mama! What a great night for you and for Kyle: ) Congratulations!

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  16. What an awesome son you and Mr. Fours have raised. My competitive swimming days are days I will never forget. Gosh, I miss it! :) Reading your recent swimming posts have made me reflect on my own swimming pasts...ah, glory days!

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  17. What a wonderful post! Congrats to him and you and your husband! Isn't it wonderful when our children do us proud?

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  18. that's cool....but I can't get over the pic of YOU as a young mom!! or that ENORMOUS cloth diaper!! :-)

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  19. That will surely be a moment you'll have forever in your heart to relive and treasure. Well done, Kyle, and his mighty loving and resourceful parents.

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  20. Congrats to all of you! I can't get over how much Kyle looks like you!

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  21. What a great kid! and a great accomplishment!

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  22. Wow, what a great story about a great kid. You did a good job, Mrs4444!

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  23. Oh wow, you are entitiled to be so proud. What a young man.

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  24. lol, your last sentence caught me off guard, but isn't it true when your a mom. ;)


    Congrats to your son- he sounds like a great young man!

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  25. Congrats! I know you're proud!

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