February 13, 2018

 Boy, do I hate to lose. Did I say that out loud? I don’t normally admit that. 
 
Playing with my kids when they were younger, I would pretend that it wasn’t a big deal if they beat me in one of their video games and announce (probably louder than I needed to) that “I’m glad you won,” saying it with a smile (a sincere smile ... really!)   In all honesty though, deep down I was replaying each and every move I made in that video game that led to my resulting loss. What did I do wrong? How could I have lost? Sure, I’m disappointed, but I want to learn from my loss so I can do better. (And I want to beat them next time! Does that make me a bad mom? Oh gee, that sounds like a topic for a future blog…)
 
As I prepare to dedicate many hours to watching the Winter Olympic Games (LOVE them!), I think about the journey these marvelous athletes endured to become athletic representatives of their countries and sport. In this ultimate showcase of competitiveness, these athletes have spent years facing joys and sorrows, challenges and victories, setbacks and advances … in the hopes of being selected as “the one.”   With so many different countries, languages, ages, genders, races and religions, the one thing they all have in common is that they never gave up. 
 
We also take similar journeys each day – whatever the task, minimal or major – some are successful and some are not.  But as I have learned, with every setback, we win in knowledge.
 
My 9-year-old granddaughter Jayla was visiting as I worked on this blog.  I was curious to how she felt when she doesn’t meet the successes that she may have expected.  So I asked her. This is what she said:
 
“Fail equals first attempt at learning. When I fail, it makes me feel like I want to quit, and that I’m not good at it when I lose. But then people encourage me and tell me that I should do it again and I should believe in myself. I say OK, and I try again. It makes me feel that if you keep trying you will get it someday.”
 
Whoa. “Out of the mouths of babes …”
 
The Meemic Foundation offers grant rounds every quarter.  With millions of dollars in grants provided over the years and thousands of grant recipients, there are still those who may not have their grant application selected for funding.  I encourage you – don’t give up. 
 
Before she left, Jayla gave me a picture that she colored to share with you.  You may not be able to read what she wrote.  Here it is …
 
Love people that encourage you to do something.
Love, your encouraging friend, Jayla.
 
You are our Olympic athletes in the life-long team sport of educating our youth.  We believe in and celebrate you, and encourage you to keep trying in all that you do! Never give up!