Saturday was long and hot. I spent 8 hours on the pool deck in my bathing suit trying to scrounge up every bit of shade I could manage. I watched swimmers swim and cheered as I usually do… but it didn’t feel like my last meet. It felt unbearably hot.
Then the team party was that night. I came all showered and dressed and ready to get the show on the road. I chatted and mingled and ate pot luck dinner with my parents.
Then the slideshow started, and some crucial people started to get teary.
Crap. How the heck am I going to get through this?
At the end of the slideshow was a slide thanking me and my co-coach, as both of us are leaving. This little girl who has only been on the team for one season, turns to me ever so sincerely and says, “Coach Kate, I’m going to miss you.”
I almost lost it then. But I didn’t. I saved it for later.
The awards went great, and overall, I have to say it was my favorite team party ever. I got more hugs than you wouldn’t believe. So many of my swimmers who I have watched grow up came and gave me hugs and thanks. It was such a nice way to end my run as a swim coach.
I hugged everyone and I walked out of that club house feeling good. Sad, but good.
It’s time to move on. And that’s okay.
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