All American, tears, relief, I was there

My daughter has been away, as I told you, to cheer camp. It was four days of tough, demanding, physical, mental, emotional, work. When she packed her bags ever so perfectly, I snuck notes in her suitcase for her to read before bed and when she awakened. Each night as I talked with her she would comment of what the notes said. I made them goofy, yet to the point of her knowing I would keep her in my heart. She called me yesterday to say she was nominated for All American. She now had the opportunity to try out for the All American team. I could hear the excitement and the pressure in each word she spoke. What advice did I give her? To be herself. Be strong in what she knows. A bright face with sharp eyes. Clean motions with her arms. A strong voice for the chant. Most of all the important thing was for her to know that I would stop whatever I was doing and remember her at 6:30pm so she could feel my love and support for her as she tried out. She called me at 10:00pm to say she had done her best and she felt good about it all. She had laid it all out on the gym floor and now she must wait until tommorrow to find out. My husband and I drove to the final performance today for the awards. I wanted to get there early so she would see us and know we were there and she wouldn't need to be looking for us in the crowd. I saw her face and our hearts connected because she knew how we felt. When they announced the awards to be given for All American she was the first name called out. I could not believe it. My heart overflowed for I knew how hard she had worked and how she deeply wanted this honor. As she received her award our eyes met and we both shed tears. Her tears were deep rooted in her amazement, but I also know she knew how much I had felt her week with her. Many girls were devastated. There were tears of defeat and hurt. What I felt cannot be properly described on the page. It was the realization that no matter if physical distance separates my children from me, they will know they are not forgotten. They will know I will listen for their call. I will listen for their heart. I will stand or I will sit. I will be there. I was there and I shall never forget. She will never forget. I was there.