Anyone who has been reading our blogs over here at Lowi and G know that we put a big emphasis on gratitude. Sure, there is plenty of sarcasm, but we dedicate most Thursdays to the subject of gratitude and we also have a fair amount of it laced through our blogs and events. So, what makes the following story any different? It’s about my youngest daughter and the moment I realized, she really is listening!

About a week ago, Reese began tryouts for her middle school volleyball team. They planned to take 12 girls out of the 50-something that tried out and we knew there was some pretty stiff competition. While Reese has been working very hard on her skills, going to camps and playing in leagues she has not participated in club volleyball. Already she was at a disadvantage. As any parent would, I tried to send her in for the two days of tryouts with a healthy dose of optimism and equal amount of “do the best you can.”

Of all my girls, it takes Reese a lot longer to feel comfortable in situations and therefore has the least amount of confidence. All day I prayed that she would just feel comfortable and confident no matter the end result. As the first day of tryouts ended and the girls began filing out I saw Reese. I could not read her face. She got in the car and immediately said,

“I feel really good about today’s tryouts. I only missed one serve and everything else went okay. You know mom, no matter what happens tomorrow I know I am doing the best I can. If I don’t make it, it’s okay. I am just going to keep going to intramurals and showing the coach that I am willing to work hard and then maybe next year I will make it on the team. I just had so much fun.”

In that moment I was so proud of her! She had been listening! She realized that regardless of the result she was choosing to be grateful for the opportunity, for being with her friends, and the importance of working hard and taking a risk.

What more can a parent ask for?

SHE MADE THE TEAM!!

Sunshine & Sarcasm,

Lowi