Just Keep Swimming

Today my son and I pulled into the parking lot of swim team practice. As we got out and proceeded to walk along the grassy area toward the pool, I said to my son, "Okay, let's review."

"I know, Mom." Noah looked up at me through his black and red swim goggles and summer tanned face. "Keep swimming, don't cry and don't give up. And I won't."

He didn't. For the first time this summer, he made it through a one hour practice of non-stop lap swimming.

As I watched Noah in the pool, under the beautiful Colorado sky complete with sunshine and clouds and hints of storms on the horizon, my heart felt so good. Just a few weeks ago, my boy with asthma and a fearful soul joined this team thinking it would be more like a game of Marco Polo than a competitive exercise in stamina and skills. When the reality set in, we both chose to hunker down and see this through. But not without both of us walking, or should I say swimming, through frustration, anger and pain.

A little over a week ago, Noah told me in anguish, "I will never be able to swim a 100 freestyle, Mom."

"You have to keep swimming Noah. You will get there."

"No I won't!"

Once we left a practice in tears. Both of us. (Long story) But in the car I made a choice to pause and pray. I did and asked God to help me guide my bawling son. The morning was still painful, but by that night and after a few talks, Noah's attitude had metamorphosized into "I bet I can do this."

Today,after swimming several 50s, 100s and one 125, he hopped out of the water and walked over to me, a towel stretched out in my hands to cover him.

He covered up and looked at me with those gargoyle black and red eyes.
"That was fun."

I grinned and thanked God. Little choices make big differences. I want to learn those life lessons I have taught my son. It is my turn to apply his easy words in my own tests of perserverance.

Keep swimming, don't cry and don't give up!