To all of the bench warmers in the games of life ...
I know. I get it. Being a bench warmer is not fun. Not fun for the warmer to sit. Not fun for the parent to watch and feel and hear about. (Um ... proud parent of three varsity bench warmers right here, thank you!) And, I daresay, not even fun for the coach that can never make everyone happy no matter who they put out there.
We all want to be seen doing great things! But sometimes that is not the way it is. It just can't be. And, really, that is OK!! Because there are some excellent lessons we can learn from sitting on the sidelines.
So let me tell you what I see from where I sit behind you.
I see YOU.
I see you show up - for each practice, for each game.
I see you proudly wear the uniform.
I see you braid your teammates' hair.
I see you warm up with the entire team.
I see your skill and enthusiasm.
I see you hold each others' hands in unity.
I see you gather in the huddle.
I see you watching each play.
I see you carry the water bottles and pick up equipment.
I see you grab the shoulders of a team mate that is down on herself for the last play she made and make her look you in the eyes as you encourage her to get back out there and play it again.
I see the high fives and pats on the backs.
I see you cheer and yell and jump and clap and stomp your feet for those not sitting with you.
I see you experience the highs and lows of the game.
I see the respect you show to your teammates and your coach.
I see you persist.
I see you continue.
I see you proudly wear the uniform.
I see you braid your teammates' hair.
I see you warm up with the entire team.
I see your skill and enthusiasm.
I see you hold each others' hands in unity.
I see you gather in the huddle.
I see you watching each play.
I see you carry the water bottles and pick up equipment.
I see you grab the shoulders of a team mate that is down on herself for the last play she made and make her look you in the eyes as you encourage her to get back out there and play it again.
I see the high fives and pats on the backs.
I see you cheer and yell and jump and clap and stomp your feet for those not sitting with you.
I see you experience the highs and lows of the game.
I see the respect you show to your teammates and your coach.
I see you persist.
I see you continue.
I see YOU.
Your day may or may not come on the court or the field, but you are learning much needed and sought-after life skills on that bench whether you realize it or not.
You are loved and needed by your teammates and your coach. You are all members of the same team. So you just get on out there, choose your seat, own that bench, and be fabulously spectacular doing it!
Because even if no one else does, your biggest fans see a magnificent YOU!
