Abi

November 1, 2017

I see so much of her father in her. Nearly thirty years ago, he was a swimmer. Coached by Bruce Johnson, their small school team regularly competed against much larger schools in a class that by their school size they shouldn’t have been in. The year they beat arch rival Jamestown was one for the memories. Coach Johnson had swum for Jamestown coach Rollinger when he was in high school; it had been a lifelong dream to finally be able to beat them. 

Nate was a freestyler. But he wasn’t the best on the team. His regular second place to Johnny Greenwood’s first added needed points to the team, ultimately culminating in the wins they so regularly racked up, but he never stood on the highest step or received the coveted blue jacket patch. He was a team player, contributing to the win with his second places, and by being an encourager to the other swimmers. He would often be seen walking up and down the side of the pool, yelling and waving encouragement to younger swimmers competing in the water.

This afternoon, Linda and I watched as our granddaughters competed at the sectional level in Buffalo. Their qualifying times were all printed in the program, so we knew how they were seeded going in. We knew that Izzi who is younger, would likely be standing on the winner’s block in a number of events. She is a natural athlete with an inner drive to win. And, she performed as expected, with numerous second, and a third place in the various events she had entered. We are proud of her; she will do well in years to come.

But tonight, it’s Abi who impresses me the most. Like her dad, she didn’t get to stand on the podium or receive a patch for her jacket. But also like her dad, she never gives up, encourages the others, and contributes her points to the team. She doesn’t complain, doesn’t mope or get moody. She just keeps swimming. 

It’s the people who keep going even though they don’t get to see their names in lights that impress me. They work just as hard as the others, but for much less reward. Tonight Abi, like her dad so many years ago, was one of them, and I am thankful for her and the others who stand in the shadows of the stars with grace and strength all their own. It is people like this who are the backbone of life.