During tryout week...
Anything and everything can fly out of their mouths.....and we let it. "Its Tryout Week.".
We, as family, tip toe around her and walk on eggshells....."It's Tryout Week."
Whatever she wants....she gets. "It's Tryout Week..."
We run her wherever she wants to go....Get her whatever she wants to eat.....no matter the time of day OR night......"It's Tryout Week."
We turn off all TVs, and let that SAME song blare throughout the house....over and over and over....for her to practice.....because "Its Tryout Week."
We take maroon soffee shorts and plain white tees to the cleaners for pressing....because ....."It's Tryout Week."
You take every single unreasonable request, and make it happen..........."It's Tryout Week."
Hair ribbons ....the perfect hair ribbon becomes almost as important as "The Coming of the Lord"........."It's Tryout Week."
We might even do 8th grade homework this week for her.........."It's Tryout Week."
We feed her Ibuprofen like candy and video-tape her every move with exception of behind the bathroom door.....because ...you guessed it...."It's Tryout WEEK!!"
Yes, I am poking fun.....but I am really....DEAD serious.
If you are not from Benton, this may mean little to you. Cheer moms suffered this week a few weeks ago. Now our turn. Spirit groups from Benton are the best. The Elite. State and National Champions. The Best of the Best. And let me tell ya.....these uniforms aren't given freely. They are earned at a price. I don't mean money....well, let me take that back. Yes, even that too......at a huge price.
The girls you see on these squads work work work and many don't see how much these dancers work......as hard or harder than any sport out there. It all boils down to one day. About 10 minutes in front of a panel of judges. In that 10 minutes.....that you share with 4 or so other girls....you have to perform the required elements flawlessly, remember the 4 dances they are taught in 2 days.....not only remember, but perfect them......and show this panel all they have done to prepare for this day.
I can't speak for all....but my Sydney started dancing at 3. She doesn't play sports. She doesn't tumble. She loves to dance. All of her eggs are right here in one basket...because she. loves. to. dance. Dancing competitively for all of these years....traveling from state to state......all the hours of dance classes, all the costumes, all the private lessons.... all of it....prepared her for ....THESE. 10. MINUTES. What advice do you tell a child???
Last year, I dreaded it like the plague. To my suprise, Sydney was calm, worked hard, picked up the dances easily, was confident in her skills and was just fine. UNTIL the day before tryouts. She pulled a hamstring. The breakdown happened. For the BOTH of us. Luckily, we had hours of video tape which we were able to submit for the skills she was unable to do on tryout day. Like....splits, turns, kicks, leaps, jumps......only everything a dancer is required to do! :)
It turned out ok....because she made the team....and her fondest memories and great friendships came from this last year on the Dance Team. All of it is at stake....once again....Friday afternoon. For her "10 minutes to shine". As a mom, as a family.....we prepare. Its hard....as a mom....to place your child's happiness in the hands of others. I KNOW what she can do. She KNOWS what she can do. She just has to show THEM what she can do!
May be silly to pray for such things. But we pray for everything. In most other sports.....you can show up, put on a jersey, and even though you may not "play"...you are a part of the team. This isn't the case. We have to make it count. We are a slave to dance.....and the whole year ahead -- comes down to this week. I've seen heartbroken, disappointed little girls and parents so often. I know mine isn't exempt. Important life's lessons are learned at such young ages these days.
I pray that Sydney use her chance as a Veteran Dancer to be a light to the new girls. To help and encourage and guide. To always show grace and kindness to everyone around her. To be a positive role model and still have that "uniform" on and represent it as if it were truly on her physically. Whether or not her outcome...that she still charges onward and dances. Be it for her school....or herself......that she understands that while this is a big deal today.....and a big week.....her happiness lives within herself.
I pray for her safety, and the safety of the others around her. That she always takes proper care of her body and protects her talents that God has given her. I pray that she pushes herself to do her very best but to also realize that her best IS enough.
I pray for all of the veteran dancers....the ones moving on to high school....all of them, that their spirits are high and that they are ready to give it their all this week. I pray for their families and for each girl to have the support systems they need to be successful.
When you see a Benton uniform. It means something. Mrs. Hilburn is tough. She demands the most of her girls. She oversees the best teams and her success is nationally known. She and all of those under her are charged with not only building competitive squads, but respectful young women. They are leaders. They are athletes. They smile. They are kind. They are Benton.
That uniform has a lot behind it. Blood, sweat, tears, training, sacrifices....from both the girls and their loved ones....hard work, determination and teamwork. Not just this week....but for years prior to and to come.
Break a leg, babygirl. I'm so glad God chose me to be YOUR "Dance Mom!" Many prayers are going out for you!!
In Him,
Terri
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