Success

It has been a long time since this picture was taken, but I can't help but look at it. It reminds me that when things became the most difficult, it was then that I pushed through to my greatest successes. When I look at this picture, I remember what it felt like to be on Cloud 9, to be so happy, that it seemed nothing could bring you down at that moment. In utter disbelief, I raised my arms above my head, tears filled my eyes, and I lost the ability to speak. This was a small taste of joy, of accomplishment, of success, the kind that we only get to enjoy a few times during our lives. It only means something to me because I remember what it took to get there. Faith in Coaches who I had never worked with before, pushing myself beyond the limits that I had previously known, everyday I was in the pool, this reminds me that it was the journey, not the event, that I was celebrating in that moment. This image is plastered to my mind as the end of my swim season approaches this year. Unlike every other season for fourteen years, this one carries no definitive comeback date, no next season, no commitment beyond the finish. It is strange to think that I won't be training in the Summer. While many of my teammates, past and present, will train in the attempt to qualify or prepare for the next big meet, I will be training to become a member of the Lord's Army as one of His full-time representatives. So as I look forward to one last meet, I look back at all the meets that in any way can compare to this one. In searching my past, only two events come to mind: standing atop the podium as the co-captain of the Texas 5A State Championship Swim Team, and leaping for joy as a young and immature freshman in high school. They are happy memories, wonderful memories, and I can only hope that I have it in me to create one more.