Dear Friends,
First Life Takeaway: Live Deliberately
My younger daughter started playing soccer in preschool and connected instantly with the sport.
She had the energy to run non-stop up and down the field.
She had the coordination to control the direction of the soccer ball.
She had the determination to defend the goal from opponents.
She had the fearlessness to engage in (a lot of) physical contact.
She had the love of the game, regardless if they won or lost.
After a few years in recreational soccer teams, we made the decision to put her into Marin FC, our local travel club, in 2nd grade, to level up her training. Although travel sports get in the way of our ideal family philosophy of spending precious weekend time together, this is what she wants and this is where she truly thrives. It is now her 4th year as part of Marin FC.
This past week, the entire club has been mourning the passing of an alumni player, Mia Hamant, who was only 21 years old and just lost her 6-month battle to Stage 4 Kidney Cancer.
She was a star goalie for Marin FC, Redwood High School and just a few months ago, the University of Washington women's soccer team. The entire club wore orange accessories during their games this past weekend in remembrance of Mia.
We did not know Mia, but her story could be any of our children's stories, and that is the deepest pain for any parent to endure. She was a girl who loved soccer, worked hard and achieved her dream of playing at a Division 1 collegiate level.
Everyday we have responsibilities and "normal" activities like work, exercising, school, sports, chores, and so on. But even in those seemingly mundane routines, can we choose to live more deliberately by:
Pausing to soak in a beautiful view on your next hike, giving someone a compliment, whispering a prayer of gratitude?
Showing kindness towards a coworker, practicing patience towards our children, extending compassion towards an acquaintance?
Adding in that scented candle you love, writing for 5 minutes in your journal before bed, taking a 30-minute hot bubble bath, savoring a slice of chocolate cake you have been eyeing, or calling your best friend just to say hello?
If we remember that every single second of every single day is extremely precious, how would we live that second differently? Would your actions change, or would they be the same as you are doing now?
Let's live deliberately and commit to not taking any second for granted.
Donate to Mia Hamant's Go Fund Me here
Second Life Takeaway: Be Boundless
My 8th grade daughter fell in love with theatre since the 1st grade ever since she first joined local productions at 23 Elephants Theatre Company.
Once she started 4th grade, her school offered an amazing Fall Play and Spring Musical for 4th-8th graders and she has not missed one single production.
What I truly admire about her passion for theatre, is that it’s a real love.
She loves the process.
The teamwork.
The community.
The chaos.
The stress.
The reward.
And most importantly, she is a humble actress. Whether she has a minor ensemble role or a main lead role, she does not complain and shows up ready to completely be a part of it. She is a true team player.
She actually prefers acting versus singing, so the Fall Plays are a big deal for her. This week will be her final play performance at her school on Thursday and Saturday and it is going to be an emotional one for her (and me).
On Saturday, the tradition is to say goodbye to the 8th graders and she happens to be the only 8th grader in this cast.
It will be quite a bittersweet moment because of how much she has grown as an actress and how it is time for her to move on from her elementary and middle schools years.
I am eternally grateful to her school and all her teachers and directors for truly seeing my daughter. They brought out confidence, poise, independence, courage and the brightest light to a quiet, shy, and usually-avoids-spotlights type of girl.
I am already crying.
Let's be boundless and refuse to categorize ourselves into boxes of "I can't...," "I won't" or "I will never..." Instead, believe in yourself, your potential, and in possibilities that you can't even imagine, but are in motion and are meant for your light to shine the brightest!
Third Life Takeaway: Share Courageously
Last week, we returned full circle and re-introduced our Zoom-only Wednesday 9:30am 75 minute Strength and Stretch class from my garage.
I was reminded of what a great decision it was to remodel my garage after the pandemic in 2020 and have extra indoor square footage.
I was reminded of how amazing it was that Back to the Future predicted video phone calls and now it's our reality.
I was reminded of how sweaty we get in the garage and how I wish we could squeeze in more people!
What is fun about this class, is that the playlist is totally different than our Stop Drop and Dance classes. Sometimes members create the playlist, sometimes it's recent hits, and sometimes it's immersing into the music of one artist.
Last week, we listened to Imagine Dragons, and the lead singer, Dan Reynolds, has shared openly with listeners about his long-term struggles, including depression. We closed our Strength and Stretch class with his quote:
"Yes, depression is a real thing.
No, it doesn't control me.
I wake everyday and choose to fight it.
I choose happiness.
I may crash and burn.
But I'll never roll over and give up.
Far too much beauty in this world to walk away from."
All of us have struggles. All of us feel deep emotions. And all of us can benefit from sharing courageously with someone else. Sharing is a pathway to healing, both for yourself and for the person listening because it opens up a human connection that we can all relate to. Holding emotions in is dangerous and if you or a loved one struggles from depression or mental health, please keep talking and opening the lines of communication.
You are never alone in your struggles so share courageously!
Live Deliberately.
Be Boundless.
Share Courageously.
These newsletters are my attempts at sharing courageously with all of you each week. Thank you for supporting this "Power With Grace" community and I hope these three life takeways will speak to you in the weeks and months ahead. Grateful for you always.
Love,
Grace
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SAVE THE DATE! Friday, December 5th 6-8pm
Winter Wonderland Party & Shopping at West End Nursery
Thank you to Barb Untermann, Erin Meyers and Eliza Desch for helping to organize a holiday party for us for the second year at West End Nursery! This year's theme will be Winter Wonderland, and you can wear anything casual to cocktail in white or sparkly to fit the theme. We will begin the evening at 6pm with mingling and munching, break into small groups for conversation and bonding, then finish with ornament shopping!
Dancers in the Wild
Top: Joan Murphy with her incredible cape and headpiece at Day of the Dead in San Miguel de Allende!
Bottom: Bonnie Kirkpatrick, Marianne Jacobson, Pam Flores and Laura Briggs out in the wild last Thursday when class was cancelled!
