A Farewell to the Ice

My daughter hangs up her skates tonight.

She has skated since she was 13 years old. I have watched her grow, glide, jump and spin for 5 years. I have sat hours upon hours upon hours at skating rinks and driving to competitions. It has been such a joy, pleasure and privilege to see her "grow up" on the ice.

Her hanging up those skates signify so many things to me. My first child is getting ready to leave and go to college .. my first of two children to leave the nest.

My daughter's figure skating has taught me so much. I have learned to appreciate athletes like never before. The girt and determination to learn one simple move is unbelievable; the hours of practice it takes to make a 2 minute program look flawless.

Like all of us in Spark People we have to work with the same grit and determination, always keeping our eyes on our goals. Like a figure skater we will fall many times, we just have to pick ourselves up and try again, again and again until we get it right. And then when we think we've got it nailed down, something might come along .. a "bump" in the ice so to speak and once again we have to shake it off and try again.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and letting me share my joy. Now I'm off to see my daughter skate and make her final bow.