My daughter made some tough decisions over the past year. One of them was whether to try out for the high school soccer team. There were good arguments on both sides. She had quit her competitive soccer team over a year before, but had played on the middle school team. But the season was short, and the competition not as intense as the club teams. She knew her skills were weakened. And, she knew she was never the strongest player on the field. Would she be able to compete now? Even to just make the junior varsity team?
Her former teammates encouraged her. Offered to practice with her. But she had other concerns. She has a rigorous academic load as well as other extra-curricular commitments already. Would she be able to handle it all if she did make the team? And, what if she didn't make it?
Her father and I encouraged her. At least to try if she wasn't ready to let go just yet. We felt she would at least make the junior varsity team after so many years of club soccer but recognized the possibility that she might not make any team. We just didn't want her to regret not trying. Right up until the last day, she said she was going to try out.
Then...she changed her mind. We worried she would regret it, but we had to let her make the decision. I wanted her to learn to trust her gut, and not have us constantly second guessing her. I'm glad we stepped back and let her decide.
In the end, she did not try out, and she is at peace with her decision. Her friends tried out, and made varsity. We're proud of them, and she's proud of them. And happy to cheer them on from the sidelines. Now, it's off to musical theater auditions!
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