As I said yesterday, my mother plays a large part in this story as well.
My mom was not in guard when she was in high school, she was a cheerleader and an adorable one at that. She was that girl in the front of all the pictures doing the splits. It wasn't till she married my father (a band director) that she started learning about color guard. Now, she was in band in high school and was a music major in college, so she knew what it was but she never spon on a guard before that.
She tells stories about how she and her friend Ann went to guard camps to learn things. Usually standing in the very back, surrounded by high schoolers and college students. Never the less, she learned what she needed to to help my father with his guards.
I was literally "spinning in the womb" because while my mother was pregnant with me she did not stop teaching guard. (I'm the little girl on the right and my big sister is on the left) Much like one of my "guard idols" Lindsay did while she was at Odessa.
My mom was not in guard when she was in high school, she was a cheerleader and an adorable one at that. She was that girl in the front of all the pictures doing the splits. It wasn't till she married my father (a band director) that she started learning about color guard. Now, she was in band in high school and was a music major in college, so she knew what it was but she never spon on a guard before that.
She tells stories about how she and her friend Ann went to guard camps to learn things. Usually standing in the very back, surrounded by high schoolers and college students. Never the less, she learned what she needed to to help my father with his guards.
I was literally "spinning in the womb" because while my mother was pregnant with me she did not stop teaching guard. (I'm the little girl on the right and my big sister is on the left) Much like one of my "guard idols" Lindsay did while she was at Odessa.
It isn't because of my mom's guard/band knowledge that makes her such an important part in this. It is because my mom is my BIGGEST FAN in whatever I do.
In high school it was mostly softball along with guard and band. But when I decided to turn down (much larger) softball scholarships to go to MSU (SMSU at the time) to spin on their guard she supported me and did what she could to help me with my dream.
While most kids were able to come home time to time from college, I was constantly down at school because of guard. She came to every football game and every performance we had. Maybe it was because it was the only way she would see me, but I know it was also because she loved seeing what I LOVED to do.
When winter guard season started, she would follow the bus from state to state in her car so she could cheer me on at the shows. I was a better performer because I knew there was ONE person in the stands there for JUST ME and watching ME through out the entire show. I performed for HER every time I was on that floor.
The season I dislocated my shoulder and was told by the ER doctor that I would never spin again...I thought my life was over. Just like a pro pitcher being told he could never pitch again, a dancer who could never dance, a singer who lost their voice....I didn't know what I would do. My spirit was crushed in that moment. The pain in my shoulder was excruciating, but the pain in my heart was simply unbearable.
My mom told me we would find someone who could "fix" my shoulder and that everything would be ok. We went to the best in the area, I went though painful therapy, and I was able to spin again.
I could go on and on about my mother...but that is the beginning. Where I come from.
Now, throughout this blog I will be sharing with you the journey my 8th grade winter guard girls are taking. I hope to follow them all the way through their senior year, watching them grow and develop in their movement, equipment, and performance qualities. I hope to still be growing as well during this time.
In high school it was mostly softball along with guard and band. But when I decided to turn down (much larger) softball scholarships to go to MSU (SMSU at the time) to spin on their guard she supported me and did what she could to help me with my dream.
While most kids were able to come home time to time from college, I was constantly down at school because of guard. She came to every football game and every performance we had. Maybe it was because it was the only way she would see me, but I know it was also because she loved seeing what I LOVED to do.
When winter guard season started, she would follow the bus from state to state in her car so she could cheer me on at the shows. I was a better performer because I knew there was ONE person in the stands there for JUST ME and watching ME through out the entire show. I performed for HER every time I was on that floor.
The season I dislocated my shoulder and was told by the ER doctor that I would never spin again...I thought my life was over. Just like a pro pitcher being told he could never pitch again, a dancer who could never dance, a singer who lost their voice....I didn't know what I would do. My spirit was crushed in that moment. The pain in my shoulder was excruciating, but the pain in my heart was simply unbearable.
My mom told me we would find someone who could "fix" my shoulder and that everything would be ok. We went to the best in the area, I went though painful therapy, and I was able to spin again.
I could go on and on about my mother...but that is the beginning. Where I come from.
Now, throughout this blog I will be sharing with you the journey my 8th grade winter guard girls are taking. I hope to follow them all the way through their senior year, watching them grow and develop in their movement, equipment, and performance qualities. I hope to still be growing as well during this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment