This coming Monday marks the beginning of the school year here in Hawaii. It’s funny to be so vividly aware of this (since besides hearing about Colt’s two nieces going back to school and knowing that the tourist season is ending for restaurants) it’s not something that has directly effected my life in seven years. I pause as I write SEVEN years and recount the math on my fingers just to make sure. Could it really already be SEVEN years from when I walked proudly across that stage as a Hawaii Pacific University graduate with the whole world at my finger tips? The emotions of that day wash over me as I feel the weight of time passed heavily on my shoulders.
I can’t help but think how different my life has become in just the last four months never mind the last seven years! I put that aside though as I snap back to the present moment and look down at the pile of folders that are surrounding me on the floor. They are filled with new schools, class schedules, students names and information. I am officially a gymnastics coach, me, Jennifer Lee Stewart now also known as Coach Jenn. I mean who would have ever thought that the little gymnast years ago or the girl who did a back handspring in high school after getting her diploma would now be coaching?
I mean it all happened so quickly that its no wonder my heads still reeling. One day I was assisting coaching and thinking I was going to have this mellow laid back summer, and the next I was offered a full time lead coach / van manager position and riding alongside the coach I would be replacing in just four short weeks. So here we are eight weeks later (I spent four weeks training and since have been four weeks on my own) wrapping up my summer schedule and about to embark on a full school year that includes nine different schools, 18 plus classes and a ton of new students.
I’ve officially traded in my high heels for barefeet, my strapless bras for sports bras, dresses for workout clothes, curled or flat ironed hair for a ponytail, fishtail or tight bun, my love for MAC makeup every day (without fail) for a touch of mascara and bronzer and my Toyota Corolla for a Chevy Express. I’ve gone from watching the clock behind a desk desperately aware of every second passing and longing for freedom to trying to squeeze in 5 or 10 more minutes with each student in every class.
I feel like this is my true calling and purpose in my working life. I feel awoken, exhilarated and alive. I enjoy waking up in the morning and going to work. I love stretching and tumbling and giggling with each and everyone of my gymnasts. I love pushing myself and them to new limits. I love being reminded that anything is possible and that as long as you keep trying and don’t give up you will eventually get it and that falling (as long as you get back up) is ok. They make life sweeter, happier, better…they make me better and it feels great to be better than you ever thought you could be…”