I am paying for it all and I am being repaid

My eldest daughter was a provincial gymnast (with what was then Transvaal) and her youngest sister represented both Gauteng and South Africa at rhythmic gymnastics.

Inspired by the success of her mom and aunt, my granddaughter is now a gymnast with what I believe is incredible potential. But being her grandfather, I would feel that way, wouldn’t I?

My eldest posted something on her Facebook page the other day that gave me food for thought. And it made me so proud, even more so than when she got her Transvaal colours all those years ago.

It reminded me of that quote from author Grantland Rice, who said: “It’s not about whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

This is an edited version of my daughter’s post:

One of my friends asked “Why do you pay so much money for your daughter to do her sport?”

Well, I don’t pay for my kid to do her sport.

I pay for those moments when my daughter becomes so tired she wants to quit but doesn’t.

I pay for those days when she comes home from school and is “too tired” to go to training but she @GuyHawthorne goes anyway.

I pay for my daughter to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.

I pay for my daughter to learn to take care of her body and equipment.

I pay for my daughter to learn to work with others and to be a good team-mate, gracious in defeat and humble in success.

I pay for my daughter to learn to deal with disappointment, when she doesn’t get that placing or title she’d hoped for, but still she goes back week after week and gives it her best shot.

I pay for my daughter to learn to make and accomplish her goals.

I pay for my daughter to respect not only herself, but other athletes, officials and coaches.

I pay for my daughter to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.

I pay for my daughter to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long-term goals.

I pay for the opportunity that my daughter has and will have to make lifelong friendships, create lifelong memories, and to be as proud of her achievements as I am.

I pay so that my daughter can be out in the gym instead of in front of a TV screen.

I pay for the opportunities that gymnastics provides my daughter to develop attributes that will serve her well throughout her life and give her the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment.

In short, the post is about what little ones can learn from participating in a sport … lessons that are applicable in all walks of life.

Picture: Getty Images Belgium’s Thomas Pieters hits his second shot out of a bunker on hole five during day two of the Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Course yesterday.