I got this a few days after the race, and just had to share part of it. This was such a wonderful experience for me, and I am so happy to have been able to share the day with these kids. I can't wait to do more next year.
This is what it's really all about. And yeah, I cried when I read this. Cuz I'm a sap like that.
_______________________
Dear Mrs. Ziemnik,
I just want to say thank you for all the help you have given me in training for the triathlon. I am so proud of myself for finishing, and I really don’t think I could have done it without the help and inspiration you provided. At the first brick, I was very unsure of myself and became discouraged because I couldn't keep up with everyone. But as I kept training with you, your motivation gave me the strength to continue, and I gradually saw myself improve a little more each week. Your kindness stayed with me right up to race day, when I was nervous about the water. Talking to you allowed me to calm down a bit and gave me the courage to run out into those waves and do what I came there to do. Also, when I came back from the bike, I was very tired and got a little confused. But your running that first hill with me allowed me to get everything back in order and refocus my goal to make it to the end. When I crossed that finish line, I didn’t know whether to smile or cry, so I just grinned and knew in my heart that there was nothing I couldn’t do. There’s a million more things I could say, but I’ll keep it as short as possible and end with this. The night before the triathlon, I read the note you gave us before we took the AP test. While reading Roosevelt’s quote, I realized how much it applied to the race. I sure didn’t come in first, but I still finished. And that’s a lot more than “those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat” can say....
__________
"I just grinned and knew in my heart that there was nothing I couldn't do."
And that, my friends, is why I love what I do. Even when it's hard. And challenging.
I love every. single. second.
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6 comments:
Oh that is so sweet. It must be so nice to have a job that allows you to give back.
Well that was just fantastic.
Color me sappy - made me cry too.
What a testament to her AND to you!
AWESOME!!!
Now...multiply that influence by 10 and thats what you have done... future students impacted by your girls, who will impact others ..and so on....
a pebble tossed in a lake.......
and the effect is huge.
\
very cool
There are a few people that have taken up running (not triathlon yet) partially due to me. So I have a little bit of understanding of how cool that letter must have been for you.
That Roosevelt quote is a favorite of mine and has been in my header since I started blogging.
Awesome job TriSaraTops!
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