By the last day, I started seeing some improvement and was glad I had done the camp....blah, blah, blah. (To protect myself from any defamation charges.) Anyway, at the end of the camp we had an awards ceremony. Each coach was allowed to pick one camper from each level who they deemed "Most Improved," "Or Greatest Hustler" etc. (Basically, the best overall camper.) I chose a small girl, probably only 5"1, because she hustled a ton and seemed to take instruction well. So, I made a little speech about her, clapped my hands, and I think, gave her a pair of shorts. (Big, big, big time prize.)
Anyway, as we were cleaning up and preparing to leave the camp, my "Best Overall Camper" came up to me to tell me thanks for the award. I followed up with more encouragement and a nice pat on the back, to reinforce my belief in her and my desire for her to go home so I could do the same, when all of the sudden she asked, "Now you went to Duke right?" Yes, I said. And then she said, "Cool. I really want to go to Duke. Do you think you could contact the coach?"
Wait a second. What? You just got a pair of shorts for being, let's be honest, "The Not As Bad As These Other Kids, But Really, It Was A Very Close Call." After I composed myself, and hopefully wiped off the, "What the..." look off my face, I said, "Yeah, Duke...awesome. Totally. Um, tell me your email address. I'm really good at remembering stuff." To which she rattled off something that went like this: a_______@gmail.com. Totally got it locked down.
As she walked away triumphantly, I started to laugh. I have never seen an award go faster to someone's head than this time. I don't think even Heisman Winners take the trophy and then scream out, "What NFL Team wants me now??!!!"
How do I start my email to my coach....Dear Kerstin, A few weeks ago I coached a semi-athletic girl, with giant ovaries of confidence...her email address is...oh crap...
2 comments:
I can't wait until your kids get to be this child's age and they attempt the courage to do something like this.
She didn't take your stupid award to mean she was the end all to be all...it took a hell of a lot of courage to approach you and ask that.
You went to Duke. She wants to go to Duke. She admires you. She thought it might be a nice thing for you to do, but she is just a kid.
Your only saving grace is you didn't say what you were thinking out loud to her face.
And if you ever took the time to read anyone's blog but your own, you might realize a lot of us aren't helicopter parents, don't push our kids into five different extra curriculars or demand their excellence. We just want them to be happy, and support what they do.
I used to like what you wrote. Especially when you went to lacrosse camp - but now I am seeing you for what you have been all along. And that? I don't like.
Don't be so mean and cranky. It serves no purpose and only hurts those around you.
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