To the cheerleader who is about to retire:
Do not cry. It's not over ... yet.
I was in your shoes not too long ago and I know exactly how you feel. Almost 11 years ago I showed up to my first cheerleading practice not knowing that it would forever impact me. And almost one year ago, I showed up to my last cheerleading practice not realizing how much this sport had changed me.
I'm sure there were times throughout the season where you were wishing that it would be over. I'm sure there were times when you claimed you hated cheerleading. And I'm almost positive that at one point or another, you wanted to give up and not come back. I hated hearing my coach yell that we were going full out. I hated hearing the words 'last time' even more because I knew they were a lie. I hated waking up early for a competition. I hated going to bed late due to a long practice. I hated running or doing push-ups because we just flat out weren't working as hard as we should have. I hated when my stunts weren't working. I hated when my tumbling sucked. I hated the fat lips, bruised arms, and sore backs. But right now? I would do anything for one more day with all of that. I never really hated any of that. Now that I'm looking back, there is no place I would have rather spent my years than on that mat.
Do not wish it away.
It's really sad that we don't live in the moment more often. We spend practices wishing it were over. We spend competitions wishing to get our performance over with. We spend award ceremonies wishing they would hurry up so we can get our scores. You don't realize that those moments are all that you have. Those practices are where you bond with your teammates and learn more about yourself. Those competitions are where you get your moment to shine and truly have all eyes on you. Those award ceremonies are moments of realization that either your hard work paid off or that you need to work harder next time.
When I finally got to the last month of my cheerleading career, everything finally hit me. And it hit me hard. All of a sudden time went by fast at practices instead of dragging on. I knew the end was coming, but I didn't want to admit it. I didn't truly live in the moment until my final performance. Half way through I realized that this was it. It was hard to look around and take it all in, but I did the best I could. To me, time pretty much stopped and as soon as the music ended, it felt like I sat on the floor forever. I realized that I had been crying since before the routine even ended. But even with tears in my eyes, I smiled the whole time. They say to leave everything on the mat, and I believe that I did. You'll know what I'm talking about when the times comes.
Yes, that is my last ever action shot as a cheerleader, and yes, I'm crying.
Realize that it's the end before it really is the end. Take every last second in. Cherish every last moment. Appreciate the practices. Appreciate your coaches, when they're yelling at you and when they're cheering you on. Thank them, too. Hug your teammates and tell your stunt group that you love them. Be there for them at all times and hang out with them. Take every busted tumbling pass as motivation and strength to land it the next time. Push yourself past your limits. Get better and stronger every day. Prove everyone wrong. Take each full out seriously. Being tired is not an option. When you get off the mat, you want to be out of breath and dying, while smiling at the same time. Make a legacy. Do it for everyone before you, and do it for everyone who wants to come after you. Be confident and humble at the same time. Clap for the team that got the trophy that you wanted. Clap for the team that wanted your trophy. Those butterflies and cotton mouth you had? I promise you, those feelings will be unforgettable.
Please remember to make every moment count. A year from now you'll be just like me wishing you could have it all back. I still look through pictures. I still watch videos. I still keep up with everything that has to do with my old team.
I hope you look back and have no regrets. Look back and smile. Look back and realize that you accomplished the things you didn't think were even possible. Because I did. And you should, too.
Love,
The retired cheerleader
