To My Parents:
As my parent, you were required to pay thousands of dollars for me to participate in the sport I loved. Gym dues, competition fees, a set of grips, a competition leotard, and a bedazzled warm-up gave me the go ahead to compete. Then there were the add-ons which every eight year old gymnast believes they need. The newest patterns of signature Carly Patterson leotards, all types of apparel with the phrase “Got Chalk”, and the gymnast hoodie and capri pant sweat outfit from Limited Too; which you dutifully bought. As a gymnast on a competition team, those items do not even begin to describe the costs. You paid for hotels every weekend, summer day-camps, and that beam in the basement I never had time to practice on. It may have dipped into your wallet quite a bit, but no cost can be placed on the childhood it brought me.
Not only do you deserve a thank you for cost but also for the time you spent. Taking time out of your already busy everyday life to support my dreams. You missed work to drive across the state for competitions. You cleaned the gym after a long day of work to prepare it for home meets. You chauffeured me 30 minutes to and from practice four days a week. You even spent a night putting springs in a new floor. Always with a smile on your face. There was housework to be done, other family members to tend to, and work you could have prioritized but you catered to my needs. It took over my social life, and yours but we both made lifelong friends. You spent nights having pizza after practice with my teammates and their parents; together we all became one big family. Without the time you spent, my childhood as a gymnast would not have been possible.
The support you gave as my parent deserves the biggest thank you of all. I heard you cheer when I stuck my landing on vault. I watched your reaction when my score was flashed. Most importantly, I saw you smile when I stood up on the podium and presented whether I was in first place or seventh. You watched each beam routine with scrutiny. You watched me fall from the high bar but allowed me to get back up there and try again. Without your never-ending support, I would not have had the ability or pride to be a gymnast.
To My Coaches:
You watched me grow from a cute toddler into an awkward middle schooler and acted as a second parent. You took care of my injuries; provided a bag of frozen peas when I split the beam and wrapped my bloody, skinned hands. The time commitment my parents and I made does not come close to the time you put in. Creating workouts before practice, setting up drills, and waiting for every last parent to pick their child up were just a few of the extras you dutifully did.
My childhood as a gymnast depended on the expertise you provided. You created a beautiful gymnast with straight knees and pointed toes out of a little girl who could barely sit in a straddle. You taught me the dreaded kip after months of drills and attempts. You let go as I did first back handspring on the floor and first back walkover on the beam without a spot. You forced me and my teammates to condition against our will, but it was only for our benefit. Bribing us to get all three of our splits by providing banana splits for those successful. I climbed the rope hundreds of times, stretched as I watched the television, repeated sets of pushups and situps, and ran at the nearby track before practice Saturday mornings all in hopes of your praise and personal improvement. As I became an optional gymnast, you helped to choreograph the perfect routine to my new floor music and personality. You motivated me to compete at a new level each season; with each birthday came new skills and new routines. The knowledge you shared allowed me to gain strength, grow, and most importantly love spending each day at the gym.
Thank you, parents and coaches, for allowing my childhood to be a little extraordinary. You gave me a sport to love, and I am forever thankful you did. 10 years later, I realize this sport shaped me into the woman I have become. I still cherish my time as a gymnast; thus the people I met and the experiences I had last a lifetime.
