Forgive the hot, sweaty, post workout picture. So to understand the story, we have to back up. All my life I have been a klutz. Clumsy, awkward, like fall up the stairs awkward, bruises everywhere from just living life. I have no physical ability, never played sports. Always wanted to play, but could never hit, not throw, not jump, not run….ever! I grew up in a time when there were no certificates for participation, when no one cared if your feelings got hurt because you weren’t in a team, no trophies for showing up, and the cold hard facts of physical ability were learned at the playground and in gym.
I was the default kid. When they picked sides for teams! Yeah, I just stood off to the side because I was going to end up not picked but instead that last person a team was stuck with by default because the other kid got picked. I loved to play!! I just wasn’t good at anything. Not badminton, not bowling, not horseshoes, not volleyball, basketball, baseball, hockey….please, I laugh… Zip, nada, zero, zilch!
One year, our church was going to have intramural baseball over the summer, coed teams for teens, and I wanted to play. I showed up with anticipation and my brother’s mitt. Every single kid was put on a team and I was basically told to go home and I would be an alternate, don’t call us, we will call you.
When my kids were little they didn’t know how I wasn’t good at any of it. They thought I was cool because I played. I was always in the yard with my own hockey stick, playing goalie, or shooting hoops. Eventually they realized as their skill increased, mom wasn’t good at it, she just likes to play.
So you all know I joined the YMCA, and have been taking some classes, playing picklball, swimming and using the fitness room, weights and machines, and taking Pilates……
One day, they had this chart on the wall, named the Road to Rio. You were supposed to track certain activities related to Summer Olympic events. Seemed like a fun thing to do and my sister encouraged me to do it. So you got points for things like walking, running, swimming, cycling, and taking classes, and for extra things you got stars. I kept track, getting points for things and lots of blue stars for swimming for hours, until the sign came down and didn’t think much about it until a few days ago, when my caller id showed the Y was calling.
Well, it turned out I did so much that I had won a gold medal!! Yeah!! Me!! I know!! I can’t believe it either. Today I went to get it, and it turns out you get a cool prize! I got one of those drawstring bags, a YMCA water bottle and a light up Y key chain. I was thrilled! The girl who gave it to me was excited because I made a hugeeeeeeeeee deal out of it. You would have thought it was a solid gold medal! I am sure she didn’t understand but this is the firstttttttttt sports thing I ever got in my entire life!! Like my whole life!!!! I was talking to her a mile a minute and she said I was the most excited person she had ever seen by the prize that I won!
Well, yeah! I kind of feel like I won the Olympics!!! Like how cool is this?? The default girl got a gold medal!!
So in Olympic tradition, I want to thank my inspirations!
My familyspiration: My sweet kids Sara, Joey, Shannon and Russ, and of course Bailey, have always supported me in this adventure. They are always cheering me on! They believe me to be superwoman! They see me as no limitations and I need that!
My sispiration: My sister, Sara, who encouraged me to try the Y and to just keep on doing new things. She introduced me to all kinds of new classes and activities that I love. She teaches an awesome Zumba class and barre! She helped me to be comfortable walking in the Y, and has encouraged my journey and been proud of me,
My brothspiration: My brother, George , who quit smoking years ago and totally changed his life, and walks a bazillion miles a day! If he could do that, I was determined I could become more physically fit. He has always spurred me on, to just keep trying no matter what.
My bestpiration: Mark, ten months ago he told me, if I thought I had found a doctor I believed could help me, I should just go for it. Mark……You have always believed in me, even on the days I didn’t believe in myself. You have been my friend and cared about me no matter my size. And you haven’t accepted less from me than my best. When I fell you never picked me up, you just taught me, I didn’t need anyone to help me up.
My exercisepiration: Nancy and Jyliana, who teach me how to be physically strong. They showed me that I can exercise and I can improve and that I can look at what it brings! Your patience and encouragement helped to just keep pushing on.
My friendspirations: I am so blessed with people who just keep cheering me on! I am the richest person I know in friends. Love you all!
My kidspiration: John, my nephew. I saw John at the YMCA one day when he was there for summer camp. I won’t forget what he said, ” Aunt Chrissy! I saw your name on the board upstairs and all your blue stars! Good job!” I realized these kids in our family are watching me and I want them to remember that no matter who beats on you, and tells you that you can’t, or doesn’t believe you, well, we get up!! And we prove we can! We don’t accept those words from others. It isn’t over until we say it’s over!!
And most especially to my docspiration: Dr. Jack Saia! Now, it’s no secret I could be the president of the Dr. Jack fan club! But this is more than just a doctor who helped me get healthy and lose 102 pounds. Early on Dr. Jack told me we were a team. Do you see??
Dr. Jack is the very first kid who picked me to be on a team! It was such a novel experience, and I have always felt like it was a team! I have worked hard to not let the team down. He has helped me to lose adjectives like klutz, and clumsy, to become more than the default kid! He has helped me to achieve things I didn’t think we’re possible! He taught me that I am so much stronger than I believe, in body but especially in mind and perseverance. He teaches me that I can do whatever I want, to not let age or circumstance get in my way! And he too, believes in me, when I am too mixed up or scared to!
First time in my entire existence, I got recognition for anything sports like!! All because one doctor believed when I was too afraid to believe anyone.
One day, I told Dr. Jack I was the weak link in this team. He told me what he tells the kids he coaches. We are a team, we win as a team and we lose as a team, no player better than another. Well, Dr. Jack…… WIN!! Gold medal for this team!!!
Hugssssssssss,
Chris
As always….an inspiring to many! You go girl!!!
Thanks for always being so positive and cheering me on!