cheer

My daughter had her first 

cheerleading competition 

this weekend.

I'll admit,

I was not a big fan 

of competition cheerleading.

Young girls

wearing makeup 

with insanely big bows on their foreheads

was too

"Toddlers and Tiaras" for me.

However,

C wanted to do it

and I reluctanly 

agreed to let her participate.

I was mortified to tell 

my NY friends that C

was a cheerleader.

Piano, dance, basketball, tennis, horseback riding, and volleyball

seemed much more worthy.

I never attended practice because

I didn't want to see my baby tossed about.

She is what is referred to as a "flier."

Yesterday was the culmination of months of practice.

As I watched the girls perform

I felt my face flush,

my eyes well up, 

and hot tears slip silently

down my cheeks.

I was overcome by what these young girls

had accomplished 

by working together.

The choreography, skill, and stunts

were amazing.

I witnessed 

confident, disciplined girls,

totally committed

and completely trusting of the other girls 

on the squad.

They pushed themselves physically and mentally.

And they loved it.

In the end,

it wasn't what I thought it was

from the outside 

looking in.

Most things

never are.