Future Olympians?

It is a week into the Olympics and it has been great!  It’s like guaranteed good news every day- swelling pride and patriotism.

Since Aidan and Brendan have been going to swimming lessons all their lives practically, they stop to watch the swimmers any time it is on.  Aidan likes Michael Phelps (of course).  There is a big Michael Phelps quote he passes at his school every time he swims there.

I love watching gymnastics.  This year’s women’s team – “The Fab 5” – have not disappointed.  They really define teamwork.  It’s been a great lesson for the kids to see.  I explained the significance of the Magnificent 7 to them.  I even pulled an old YouTube clip to show just what teamwork on an Olympic stage looks like.  Well that just made me feel old!  16 years!  Seriously?!  Some of these kids weren’t alive then!  And I remember watching is with my friends and seeing Kerri Strug’s vault and her one foot landing.  Aidan focused on the “weird” clothes.  Hey, it was the 90’s!  And “that you could video back in the 1900’s.”  Thanks, you know that old feeling?- smack in the face.

But really, it brings out the best in youth athletics.  It reminds us of setting goals, pushing ourselves, being dedicated and- most importantly perhaps- you can’t always win but you can try your best.  Great lessons to remember.

Some people get weepy and sentimental on the first day of school.  It is a milestone, the start of something new.  For me it is the end of the school year and culminating events.  This past month there have been a lot of those- the 8th grade graduation the kindergartners I began with in Dorchester, saying “see you later” to a few coworkers who have made great contributions at work (past and present), seeing all the kids on stage performing Beauty and the Beast (and their pride in their success), a dance recital, an awards ceremony, Bren’s birthday.  For me, the passage of time is marked with endings.

What made me the most teary eyed?  Aidan’s last day of first grade.  All our uncertainty of how his first year in a public school would be.  All our uncertainty about if this would be the right decision.  All our uncertainty if he would be ok.  It was clear in the first few weeks (days, even), that it was better than we ever imagined.

I happened to have Maureen’s car when I dropped Aidan off on his last day.  We pulled up to the door.  He unbuckled his seat belt, gave me a kiss, told me to have a great day.  Then he open the door (himself, no child locks), bounced out and ran off after his friends.  And I sat there with tears welling up in my eyes.

What a great year.  What a fast year.  What a happy year.

Last Day of First Grade.