This spring, however, I added site coordinator and coach for Girls on the Run for the 3rd-5th graders at J1's school You guys. This program. It's everything. It inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, empowered, and confident. Each lesson in the curriculum emphasizes one of the programs core values---leading with an open heart and positive intent, recognizing our power to be intentional in our decisionmaking, embracing our differences and finding strength in our connectedness, expressing joy, optimism and gratitude through words and actions, standing up for ourselves and others, nurturing our physical, emotional and spiritual health. I really can't say enough good things about this organization. I knew I wanted J1 to participate, and since we didn't have a team at our school yet, I knew that somehow it was my calling to put it together.
Despite not knowing how I was going to fit it onto my already overfilled plate, and knowing how far Gus' eyes were going to roll back into his head, when I told him I had volunteered for another thing, I *think* I figured out how to be brave enough to be bad at something new. Sort of. I mean I managed to find time to sit through a 6 hour training, plus another four hours of First Aid/CPR. I recruited coaches. I recruited girls. I sent one million emails to Courtney Kain, the executive director, asking five million questions and for the emotional support to know that even a full-time working mom, who sometimes feels like she doesn't even have enough time for her own children, could do this. I coordinated workout spaces. I actually had to interact with the people at my children's school. All of these things being huge deals for not only this introvert, but this introvert that struggles with asking for help.
We got nine girls. We made it through nine lessons. We set expectations for ourselves as a team.
We learned about our inner star power, empathy, connectedness, balance. Things that every little girl should have in her toolbox, and things I struggle with as a 40 something year old women almost daily. Our workouts included games that incorporated running, walking, skipping, or any combination thereof. It's like trail racing---forward momentum.
We were building up our confidence and endurance to complete the celebratory 5K at the end of this journey. I already had grand ideas for race swag for each girl, and had started collecting items throughout the season. I had collected healthy snack recipes for each workout. People. I was so excited. Not just for them but for me.
The best part. Despite my lack of confidence, I seemed to be doing an OK job. My heart was full seeing how excited they were to see me each practice. The hugs I got. The fact that I was someone they wanted to tell stuff to, about homework, sports practice, school. On an afternoon when I was particularly stressed because I had to leave work early to get to practice, and snack that day was "whatever the hell is left in our snack drawer at home," one of the girl's moms told me that I was doing an amazing job.
And then ... it all came to a grinding halt like most everything in the world. While it is lovely not to have ALL the things on my plate any longer, I am sad that I was unable to see this one through. Because not only was it for them, particularly my dear J1, but as it turns out, a lot of it was for me. I miss my girls. I being silly and embracing my former cheerleader self to teach them new cheers. Yes, Miss Larson they all know "S-U-P-E-R super[stars] [are] what [we] are." And as goofy as it was, they (and I) loved it.
Here's what I learned. Where I felt like a hot mess, not having time to commit to fully reviewing a lesson plan, or digging yogurt covered raisins, some Go-gurt, and a few granola bars out of the pantry, these girls and their moms saw something completely different. Knowing I had a positive impact is pretty powerful stuff.
To all my girls and their families reading this, I miss you terribly. Connecting with each of you made everything worthwhile. You overloaded my plate in the very best way possible, and I wouldn't have not done it. Thank you to my co-coaches Marisa and Melissa. Without you both, I'm not sure I would have had the confidence to lead this little project.
So even while abbreviated, I'm grateful for the impact that stepping out of my comfort zone allowed me and hopeful that it was equally impactful for these girls. Until next season ... maybe.
