Kids and Sport

[sandandfoam]

I took my eldest daughter up the mountains yesterday, I planned on taking her for a nice hike about half way up a mountain that's a particular favourite of mine. We stopped about half way for a cup of tea and I was set to take her back down. She was having none of it and said she wouldn't go back down. I was delighted, she said she wanted to stand on the top. I impressed on her that she didn't have to, that I was proud of how far she'd come and that if she wanted, she could tell me and we'd turn back at any time. Well she put her head down and she took off for the top . I was so impressed. I love kids being involved in sport, I think it's so good for them. And my daughter so got the whole thing, the twinkle in her eye, the look of joy on her face when we stood on the top, and the glow of contentment that radiated out of her for the rest of the day. She has started young (8) and I think, on the basis of what I saw yesterday that she'll probably be a much better climber than I as an adult.
On our drive home I said to her that a girl who tries can stand on the top of any mountain - she thought about this a minute and replied that a girl who tries can probably do anyhing .
Well that put the tin hat on it for me, I'm as proud as punch of her. I believe she learnt something extraordinarily valuable yesterday and I can't think that she would have got the lesson so thoroughly through any other medium than sport.
What a perfect day.