I had about 20 kills today. That's what my friend and former Ragnar teammate calls it when you pass a fellow runner during a race. But by comparing my speed to the speed of my fellow chicks on the road, I am comparing apples to... apples with two bites taken out of them. Let me 'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up. (Name that movie.) I completed my first triathalon this morning. (TriathaMom) But I'm cheating a bit when I say that. My teammates and I completed our first tri. Together. We did it as a relay! Heidi swam 300 meters. Susan biked 12 miles. And I ran the 5K. So as I passed those 20 women during the run, my pride was tempered because I knew that most of them had already completed the two other legs of the race that my teammates had done for me.
As I passed these fellow contestants, I cheered words of encouragement. "You're awesome!" "Looking great!" "Way to go!" Racing events bring out the cheerleader in me because I have been brought to tears when strangers have cheered for me during a race. I'm just paying it forward.
Later today, I joined my three string quartet members at the beautiful Memory Grove to play a wedding. It was a gorgeous (albeit hot and sunny) afternoon. We enjoyed playing the ceremony, then chatted about newborn babies while we were packing up. My violist and cellist very recently gave birth to sweet baby girls.
On my way home, I flipped on the General Relief Society Broadcast to hear an all-woman choir sing. Tears filled my eyes as the power of women hit me. I had spent all day surrounded by women. The triathalon, my quartet... We are all women trying to feel good and do good, for our families, for our clients, for ourselves.
I actually thought about my boys at home and found myself wishing for a moment that I had a daughter who I could teach how to be a strong, confident, smart, capable woman. I always knew, for instance, that girls could do math because my (female) math teacher taught me so. But then I realized that I do have a great opportunity to teach my boys about us female types. I can show them that their mama is strong. She is brave. She is capable.
At least, I can tri.
Heh heh.
6 comments:
Thanks! This is what I needed to hear tonight as I try and teach my beauties how to be strong, brave, and capable!
Heather, they will learn those things from you, as you are all and more!
You are amazing!! Just like Heather, just what I needed to hear. At the moment I am working on homework(along with a few blog brakes) and needed to remember that I am working on a masters not only for me, but as an example for my girls. Women CAN do anything(even shy ones):)
i love this blog. and also, that might be my favorite picture. LOVE. IT.
And you would never know that I was working on my masters by my writing skills. *breaks* It was late...please forgive me.
Love the picture! Jake did the Spartan race at Soldier Hollow the day before we blessed Asher. They wanted him to write his number on his forehead! Thank heavens he told them no. I couldn't imagine how silly he would have looked up there and for family pictures. Glad you had a day off with some fun with the girls. Also, congrats on more piano students. I wouldn't be surprised if you get more. You are an amazing musician.
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