My Confident Girl

I just posted this photo on my 1000 Words blog but I felt like I wanted to say a little more about it so here it is again.  You are looking at a child that would not ask for ketchup at a fast food place until she was at least 12 years old.  She used to hide behind us when meeting new people.  She was shy even around the children that she babysat.  Belinda is now 16 1/2.  She has been in the chorus at school since 6th grade.  She has sung solos at concerts in front of a couple hundred people.  She has auditioned for and made All-State in both Middle School and High School.  Wow!  We have been so proud of her.  But this Lacrosse thing has us stunned!  Belinda has never played a sport.  She was never interested.  That was hard for me at first as I played fast-pitch softball from the time I was 6 until the summer that I got married.  But I got over it and embraced the varied interests and talents of my girls (none of which involved sports!)  So, when Belinda came home from school at the end of last year with a summer workout schedule for those interested in trying out for Lacrosse I was surprised and pleased.  I also had no idea what Lacrosse was or how it was played.  Well, let’s just say it is a tough sport.  A contact sport!  A sport for runners.  Ummm, not really a sport for my kid.  I have never seen Belinda make a commitment like she did last summer.  She worked out, ran, learned the game, raised more money for the team than anyone else.  She became a Lacrosse player.  She is still a tiny little thing but now she is a tiny little thing with rock hard abs and arm muscles like a swimmer.  She is amazing.  She is so fun to watch at a game.  When she is not playing a mean defense she is on the sidelines cheering and screaming for her teammates.  She is a true team player.  She has much to learn and is ready to learn it.  We love you Belinda!  Go Blue Devils!