the advanced level

Kindin has been taking once weekly classes in gymnastics during swim's off season.  She is quickly progressing through the classes and loves it.  (Unlike her mother who has yet to accomplish a cartwheel, she has natural potential!)  This past week, a new class - the advanced level - was prescribed and it ended up being much more serious than either of us had anticipated!

Within minutes after warm-up ^, it became clear that the other girls were more 'advanced' - doing all sorts of flips and aerials in multiples with ease.  (I'm not going to pretend to know the technical terms for what those girls could do!)  It was only 20 minutes before Kindin was in tears.   Trying hard to keep up, the poor girl had reached her quota of unfamiliar directives.  Back at it with the encouragement of the coach, she was calmed until the vault came out - at which point, she was rushing off the floor to see me.  My usually confident, able, and independent girl broke down and said, 'I just want to go home!'  I somehow convinced her to finish the remainder of the grueling two hours.

And it proved a privilege to watch her.  I sat in awe at how humbly she submitted herself to the coaching of a (rather grumpy) stranger and held her head high in confidence among the advanced gymnasts.  I've known for a while that she is growing up and right in front of me, I had more proof.  I was very pleased with my advanced level girl.  And when she was done, she was proud too - gushing with excitement about all the new things she'd tried and for the next class.