to those coming up behind us

I look at that photo and I count; 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. 

Seven girls gone from that 2016-17 Season (lv 8-10) alone.  Of course, there are more missing than that. 

You can't spend 9 years somewhere and think nothing will change.  Nine years and no one will grow up.

This isn't Neverland it's gymnastics. 

Maybe too much has changed for her since the start.  Maybe the pain has made her tired.  The isolation dimming the light. Maybe she is still willing to go on- maybe not.


To Those Coming Up Behind Us, a little piece of advice. Enjoy the journey, the moments in between performances and placements.  

Let them be little in the elevators and big on the stages. Say yes, say no. Sleep in, stay up late, take the back roads.  Don't apologize for letting her choose.  

This time for them is so short.  It may not seem like it as you wait for a plane, or awards, or for a word with the coach. But it's a blink.

In the end, they will all walk away from this part of their lives. Their medals and ribbons will stay in a box somewhere.  They will be forgotten. 

The life lessons and experiences are what they will carry with them. 

Life is an adventure.  There are many roads to travel.  Gymnastics is only one of them.  

Soft Landing Meet 2019-20 Season GTC lv 9-10 team

Right now she is looking for a sign to know which way to go.