Everyone knows there’s a difference between boys and girls. If you’ve not been a parent to both, you may not appreciate their unique idiosyncrasies. They can come from the same place and be two different beasts. My two sisters and I are great examples. We’re very different. I stand in the middle of two extremes. With all the similarities that my three, David, Elizabeth, and Michael share, each has a set of unique drums. They march to their own tunes.
My granddaughter, Eva, and grandson, Brady, are unique as well. They’ve been raised by the same parents, share a common home, but one is more introvert, Eva, and the other, Brady, is an outgoing young man. Each one plans to run track this spring. Practice began for Eva this past Monday, and Brady will begin as soon as basketball season is over.
Brady has been recruited to jump. The track coach has witnessed his athletic ability on the basketball court and wants him to share his talents as part of the track team. Eva may have a field event, but she’s looking forward to running. I’ve supported each of their decisions and offered the observation that track, more than most sports, is a social event as well as a means to compete. There’s a lot of down time at a track meet. You wait several minutes between each of your events. Wise athletes use some of this time to expand their circle of friends.
Brady has been a competitor from day one. I recall him playing soccer as a pre-school student. At the end of the season, he said to his mom, “You don’t need to sign me up for that anymore”. He didn’t love soccer. He’ll try most any sport at least once but narrows his focus once he’s experienced one. If he doesn’t like it, or grows tired of the sport, he moves on.
Eva is more selective. She dips into the competitive pool cautiously. That way works best for her. She’s tried and been successful at several things, gymnastics, volleyball, softball, soccer, swimming and now high school track.
As I was packing up to return from Michigan last Saturday, Eva and I discussed her decision to run track. She has her eye on a couple of preferred events. Near the end of our conversation, she offered this observation. “Track is a lot like swimming. You practice for your event. When it’s your turn, you compete. You don’t need to rely on anyone else to be successful.”
Right on young lady, right on.