Big Ocean, Small World
In catching up with a colleague, whom I hadn't seen for several years, although we had spoken on the phone a few times regarding business briefly; and the subject of kids came up, as they often do amongst those of us who have them. The subject of my son's high school athletic budget, or lack thereof, came up, as I explained that I just came from a water polo parent's meeting, at which the news was relayed that they had no money for the upcoming season. I was perplexed, as we were just winding up the swimming season, with budget constraints and fundraising having been an ever present issue as well. He said he understood, as his daughter was now involved as a coach for the local high school, and was struggling with the issue herself. Inquisitively, I asked what sport she coached, and he replied that she coached swimming...As the wheels began to turn in my head, and I realized that there might be a direct connection, I asked him to remind me what her name was, and when he told me, the light went completely on, and I responded that she was the "drill seargent" coaching my son on the boys swim team! As we shared a chuckle at the coincidence, and I could hear the pride in his voice, I inquired further as to her background in swimming, as I had heard that she had swam a long distance event, but was not sure which one. He explained that not only had she swam the 22 mile Catalina Island swim in 10 and a half hours, but that she was only the 88th swimmer to have done it at the time, and that he had accompanied her on the journey. With unmistakeable pride and emotion in his voice, he went on to describe how she had swam through the night, and had reached the point exaustion, with the misery of jelly fish stings, and seamingly endless dark of night, when she indicated that she had about had enough. He relayed that with some inspirational perspective he was able to impart to her in her semi-delerious state, as to how far she had come; that she was able to Keep Battlin', and as the sun came up, go on to complete the journey. And now, 15 or so years later, my friends daughter can be found at the local municipal swimming pool most afternoons, and many early mornings, barking out strokes, yardages, and starts, to a bunch of younger versions of herself, and attempting to push them past the pain point at which they might want to quit, and hopefully get to see the feeling of accomplishment their faces when they achieve the rewards that will likely follow, if they just Keep Battlin'.
Monday, April 30, 2012 at 11:41PM 