December 26th,1964 I arrived on my mom’s birthday! What a great gift! Right?? On this Mother’s Day I would like to celebrate her and one of the biggest gifts she has given me! The gift of life and “moving my body.” She was a pioneer in women’s athletics as she was an AAU swimmer at a young age and continued to share her love of sports with my siblings and I. She was dedicated to giving my sister Kelly and I every opportunity in sports that was not available to the women of my mom’s time. I played softball, basketball, down hill skied, ice skated, roller skated, played tennis, dabbled in flag football, and of course biked everywhere!
During the 70’s my parents and most of the nation were obsessed with tennis, either as an active participant or spectator. The tennis craze was becoming mainstream due to the sport becoming televised with superstars like Chris Everett, Billy Jean King, John McEnroe and Jimmy Conners. I can remember my parents played every chance they could, even if it meant squeezing a game in every chance they could during the workday. My dad was an insurance agent and was fortunate to have varied work hours which created more flexibility to fuel their passion. Our family of five would climb into our station wagon and drive around town until we found an available court. Because of the growing popularity of tennis it could be difficult to find a vacant court. My siblings and I would play at the park until my parents were finished playing then they’d patiently take the time to hit balls with each of us. That’s where our love for tennis began!
When junior high came along, I gave up my softball glove and concentrated on tennis. I played varsity tennis all three years of high school and even made it to the state tournament as a senior. My doubles partner and I lost the first round to our nemesis, Edina. If you’re not from Minnesota, Edina is known to have one of the strongest tennis programs in the state, and still do.
Moving my body is an essential part of who who I am. I attribute this to my mom. Always believing in us and setting the example that girls can do anything, especially the sports that boys can play! This may seem like a foreign concept to the younger generations, but women’s competitive sports were not always common place. It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I truly understood how far women’s sports had evolved. In 1972 a law was enacted to help prevent gender discrimination in the United States educational athletic systems commonly known as Title lX.
So this brings me to our bike ride! I am passionate about moving my body! Whether it’s biking, walking, practicing yoga, paddle boarding, or working out at The Transformation Club, moving my body makes me feel good. Yes, there will be difficult days on our bike ride, but that’s what being an athlete builds in a person. It builds stamina, resiliency, perseverance, teamwork, and a can-do attitude. There will also be amazing moments on the adventure like, tail winds, sunny skies, beautiful scenery, new acquaintances, great stories, personal growth, and knowing that we are making a difference in other lives raising funds for the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance.
Thank you Mom for for instilling athletics/sports in us!
Thank you for being at every tennis meet, softball game, basketball game and more!
Thank you for always being available to laugh and cry with!
Thank you for supporting and listening to our own parenting struggles and celebrations!
Thank you for your unconditional love!!
Your kids, grandkids and great grandkids are so fortunate that you have paved the way! We love you!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there including my mother in law Shirley! God placed you in my life 34 years ago contributing to the wife, mother and grandmother I am today! I love you!!
Hi John (and Kim), Nice catching up with you the other day and am excited for your journey to begin (ready or not, here you go).
Here’s a link (https://www.virginiacapitaltrail.org/) to probably the 2nd to last section, The Cap to Cap Trail, from Richmond to Williamsburg, about 52 miles. I live about 30 mins. from downtown Richmond, where the trail starts, so if you want you can stay at the house when you get to Richmond and I can run you down there in the morning. But you have lots of miles before all of that so plenty of time to consider and discuss. I can also run you supplies and such as you get closer to Richmond if needed. Take Care and have a great trip (I am very jealous of you two, except of your bottoms at the beginning, ha!). Scott