Motivational Monday XXXIX

I've learned many things from my children over the years.  This weekend I got a huge lesson about determination from my youngest son.

For four years, in two sports, T has been working towards earning a spot at the state championships.  He's always been a talented runner, but when he reached high school we suggested (okay, we insisted) that he join the swim team between cross country and track seasons.

Turns out that the toddler who screamed through every swim lesson is a really good swimmer.

But that goal of reaching state continued to elude him.  Sometimes he wasn't quite fast enough, often by just seconds.  Sometimes it was circumstance, and a few times it was plain old bad luck.

No matter what, T kept trying.  Time after time he pushed his anger and disappointment aside.  When he was knocked down, he got back up.  Even when there were moments of doubt, he fought through them.  He trained and worked and never lost sight of the goal.

And Saturday night he reached it.  With a 29 second 50 yard backstroke, and equally good results from his medley relay teammates, T and company earned second place in the district and a spot at the state tournament on Friday.

There's talent there, for sure.  But more than that, there's pure determination. Sometimes we forget how important that is.  

Thanks for the lesson, son.

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It's Monday, so time to join Shaunacey's Monday Moments of Gratitude and share what I'm grateful for this week:

• If you've read this far, you know I'm grateful for T's swimming success. More than a few tears were shed by his father and I after the race on Saturday.  I'm so proud to be this kid's mom.

• Blogging friends.  It's a wonderful thing when you connect with people in the writing world.  I've found some ladies who are so supportive and caring, and I can't imagine blogging life without them.  Yesterday my very stylish friend Carrie at A Lovely Little Wardrobe featured my casual Valentine's day outfit, and I'm so honored and grateful that she asked me.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!