Paying it Forward~

It is a proud day when you watch your child take a former passion of theirs, and turn it into a reality for the next generation.

When our oldest daughter was in middle and high school, she cheered on both a spirit squad and a competition squad.   She loved being on the sidelines, cheering at football and basketball games (it didn't hurt that her high school boy's team won three consecutive state titles), and loved performing at competitions.

She was truly passionate about cheerleading.  As her parents, we knew just like when she was little, there were always younger impressionable girls in the stands watching her every move.  She was their idol, their hero, they wanted to be just like her someday.

I found this poem years ago and shared it with her.  It stuck. She realized the magnitude of her actions and the affect it would have on those young impressionable eyes.

Little Eyes Upon You

There are little eyes upon you

and they're watching night and day.

Take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager

to do anything you do;;

And a little girl who's dreaming

of the day she'll be like you.

You're the little angel's idol,

you're the wisest of the wise.

In her little mind about you

no suspicions ever rise.

She believes in you devoutly,

holds all you say and do;

She will say and do, in your way

when she's grown up just like you.

There's a wide-eyed little girl

who believes you're always right;

and her eyes are always opened, 

and she watches day and night.

You are setting an example

every day in all you do;

For the little girl who's waiting

to grow up to be like you.

This past weekend we had the pleasure of watching our oldest daughter coach her Minor Competition Squad in their final competition of the season.  They took 1st place 3 times, grand champion twice and won the choreography award this time.  The love those girls had for her and the head coach was evident in their smiles and hugs a million!  We are so very proud of her for not only setting a wonderful example to those who watched her cheer through middle and high school, but for those she had the pleasure of coaching this year.

We always told our girls, at some point you need to pay it forward.  Both have.  Both have used their passion for volleyball and cheerleading and have been wonderful role models for young girls. 

We couldn't be more proud to be their parents.