Dear Gymnastics,
I know this small letter won't do you justice. I have a lot to say to you though, things I probably should've said before it was too late, but here we are. The lessons in and out of the gym are what shaped me to be who I am today. Sure, my family and friends took part in making me who I am, but without you, I would not be who and where I am now.
You see, to me you're practically a real person. Ever since I was a kid, it didn't matter if I was in the gym or not because I was ALWAYS practicing. My mom never really seemed to like it whenever I practiced at home, it may have been because of all the lamps and pictures I broke, but hey! What are you going to do? You've been my best friend since I started walking. You're the reason I was the "cool" kid out on the playground. You're the reason I was happy. You were and have been there for me through it all. Through the bad grades, the bad moods, the meets I didn't do too hot at, even breakups. You have always been there, you are better than any friend I've ever had. The friends I have now I absolutely love! You're just, different. It doesn't matter how long I go without doing a cartwheel, a handstand, or a back handspring because once I do something again, I feel like I'm home. Just talking about you makes me feel happy.
It's been difficult not having you to fall back on when things haven't been going right. Being in college really makes me see how much you've truly done for me. I'm amazed at how little I knew when I first started and then now, how far I've come is what really widens my eyes and makes me smile. Watching all the old home movies from when I was kid and seeing how much I truly loved gymnastics made me even happier. Not only did my parents see it, but I saw the same thing when I watched the videos. We saw a little girls passion for gymnastics grow more, and more the older she got. Now we're here, and I don't love you any less.
I miss you, I miss being in the gym everyday. Seeing all my teammates, feeling the chalk between my fingers and toes (sometimes even my eyes). I miss feeling invincible, like nothing could stop me (which sometimes nothing could). I miss all the colorful, pretty leo's, and all the music. I miss being swept away in my routines, being so focused that nothing would catch my attention until I was done. I miss the high I would get from adrenaline whenever I was learning a new skill, doing something risky, or even from nerves. I miss everything your name came with, I could've done without all the injuries though. I do have a ton to thank you for however.
Thanks to you, I work my hardest when it comes to anything. Whether it's athletics, academics, or a job, I am always working as hard as I can. Thanks to you, I know good things come to those who work hard and earn it, so I do my best. Thanks to you, I have friends who are not just my teammates, but some of my best friends. Some people I grew up with in the sport became my best friends, because of you. You are what we bonded over. Thanks to you, I know what dedication looks like. However, I probably should've stayed home when I had the swine flu (H1N1) during that summer camp. Thanks to you, I know what it's like to be completely in love with something. You are still my passion, and thanks to you being in my life, I know how fun it is to be passionate about something. Thank you Gymnastics, for being you.
