I wasn’t the best and I probably wasn’t his favorite, but he made sure to give me every opportunity to succeed. He saw something in me during those years that I didn’t see until recently. His challenges far out-weighed the encouragement, but I knew he cared.
I remember the day our grab bag swim suits arrived from TYR. Mine looked like a hologram. I changed into it, excited to have the best suit out of all the grab bags. I walked onto the pool deck and coach said to me, “The sparkle in your suit matches the sparkle in your eyes.” It made my day. In fact, it made my day every time I wore that suit.
Coach gave me my first swimming lessons when I was 6 months old. My mom hated the water and refused to let her kids feel the same way. Little did Coach know that 13.5 years later, I would be swimming on his team as one of his own. There were days I know I made him proud and other days when I knew I disappointed him. But he stuck with me until the end and I fought the entire way.
I wanted to make him proud. I started to believe that I could do it and so I moved to Florida and after extensive Lifeguard training, I received my Deep-Water Lifeguard Certification. I think he smiled.
As I watched old family videos of swimming, I decided I wanted to do for others, what so many people had done for me. I got a job as a swim instructor at a great swim school in MN. After extensive and on-going training, I taught my first session. I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but I stuck with it like Coach taught me. I recently began my 4th session at the swim school and I love the challenges I face each week.
Thanks Coach — for all the years of inspiration, encouragement, and challenge. You’ve left a legacy that will not be forgotten. I’ll teach my 8 classes of little swimmers this Saturday in your honor.
