I don't want people looking at me!

First meet happiness

Last summer, both Layne and Blair swam for a swim team. Layne thrived, Blair cried. 

Blair insisted on a few "incentives" to swim (and she wanted to look good while she was doing it). Blair wanted pink goggles, which she got. She wanted her nails to match her swimsuit, we made it happen. If she swam in one heat, my brother was buying her a new purse- we have the gaudy purse to mark that accomplishment. Her first time out, she was scared and we were standing right there to cheer her on (her poor coach was in the water walking beside her to give her that extra shot of encouragement). I was so proud when she made it- and that was the first and last time she attempted swimming. She'd go to the meets looking cute in her suit, hang out with the team, attend all of the practices, but she was determined she was NOT going to get back in that water during a swim meet. We did get her to slip into the pool for one more meet but it was more work on our parts than it was on her's.... never again. 

Second meet distress

Blair's biggest issue with swim meets were the people standing around the pool. She made that very clear when she said, "I don't want people looking at me!". I was floored! This is coming from a child that thrives on attention and being right in the center of it at all times. She has no issues when she's on a stage for ballet- she grins from ear to ear and loves every minute of it. She cheers- grinning from ear to ear too. Yet, being in the water during a swim meet is her worst nightmare? I just don't understand. We all explained to her that the only people looking at her were her family and her teammates - all of whom were cheering for her. Still, she wanted nothing to do with it because people were looking at her. I am still utterly baffled by this. 

As I said earlier, Layne thrived last season in swimming. As he got more and more ribbons to mark his accomplishments, Blair became decidedly jealous. She wanted the attention he was getting and the awards too. Plus, it didn't help matters that he constantly called her a cry baby and waved his ribbons in her face. He has asked to continue on the team this coming season and ...... Blair has asked to swim again too. I am bracing myself for this season and praying that it goes much smoother than the last (at this point, anything would be a drastic improvement). If not, then she is just going to have to be happy sitting on the sidelines and cheering him on.

I remember praying for patience at various times in my life. God answered by giving me the ultimate tool to test my patience on a daily basis. Thank you God for Blair.