Tears Again

I had my first tears as a senior mom.

Having done this just last year, and two years before that, you would think I would be over it. 

But, no, I cried.

I couldn't help it.

It's always sad to say goodbye to a season of your life that was good. And swimming has been great for Abbi.

Its hard to believe that it was  four years ago, when we had just moved to Taiwan, when she decided to give the swim team a try. While she learned to swim young quite easily, it had been years since she had access to a pool. Nevertheless, she went for it.

With in the first month, she learned the butterfly. At her very first meet, she had to swim a butterfly event. She came in last. But, she kept at it and developed.

While her backstroke is a disaster, her freestyle resembles a hot knife cutting through butter.

By her sophomore year, she began climbing into the top ten Morrison times list. It became apparent after breaking several records, swimming was her thing.

Since the Morrison pool was under construction, the swimming season was odd. Every afternoon, the team would catch a bus outside the school gates and travel to a local university's pool. It was great bonding time for the team, but hard for others to enjoy their talents. Without a home pool, there were no home meets, and one of the biggest meets of the year was cancelled by a typhoon. 

Senior night was held recently at the university's pool. 

This year's team was blessed with an abnormal amount of seniors. Abbi was honored to be elected as one of the captains. 

The following week, families and friends gathered again to honor this amazing athletic team. Despite the adversities and challenges, they experienced a great season.

It was here I shed those tears. As the banquet drew to an end, all the seniors' families were asked to stand behind their swimmer as a final blessing and prayer was offered. Realization set in. And just naturally, the tears followed.

Tears of pride for all her hard work to achieve and be the best she could.

Tears of joy that she is growing up into a beautiful woman of God.

And tears of sadness as yet another door of childhood closes.

But, as that door closes, another opens-  life long friendships!