Coordination

My little sister Katie came in second in the Maryland State Track and Field Meet last week. The meet was in Baltimore, so Caleb and I made the two hour drive down to see Katie-- she did a great job!

The best part though, was seeing how everyone around Katie seemed to have the same great opinion of her. I sat next to the parents of a girl who was also competing in pole vault. Since their daughter went to a high school near Katie's, they were familiar with her and had followed her throughout her seasons (Katie just started vaulting in her junior year). The first thing they said to me is what a great girl Katie is and how their daughter, who was a sophmore, really looked up to her. I personally think Katie is the most fabulous thing on Earth (ask Pete) but it was nice to see how other people, even those competing with her, saw what an incredible person she is.

And that's just the way Katie operates. When she didn't clear the last height, she looked a little sad (maybe more than a little). I would have just sat on the mat and cried. But not Katie. Katie graciously went over to the other girl to congratulate her on her first place finish. She was totally bummed that she didn't make the height she was hoping for-- but that's what makes her so heroic to me-- Katie is absolutely, completely human. She gets mad, angry, sad, excited, you name it, she feels it. But she rises above it. She's still kind and considerate and genuinely happy for you, even if it means she's missing out on something. Katie has figured out how to be happy for other people, even if she can't be happy for herself.

We're happy for you, Katie. I'm so proud of all she has accomplished. She's going to graduate here in a few days, with HIGHER than a 4.0 GPA. She placed first in the state in indoor track and just finished second for outdoor track-- and that's after starting half way through high school. I could go on and on and on about Katie-- I really am so proud of her.

But I guess that's how you feel about your best friend.