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**photo credit goes to the amazing Don Ferguson
My son, like most kids, is growing up fast. I remember going to a football banquet at the college my husband worked at a few months after Lincoln was born. As I was struggling to get the car seat out of the car, one of the players mom's was walking past. She said, "Just blink and you will be at his senior football banquet!" That comment really stuck with me.
Now, 16 years later, Lincoln doesn't play football, but he has really grown into the sport of mountain biking. From his first year in 6th grade dipping his toes in and just wanting to ride with his friends and not compete in races, we have really jumped into the deep end as a family. He now rides his bike nearly every day, trains with Tanner in the weight room, has convinced both of us to help coach the local team, and I am a volunteer for the state organization.
When we are in the midst of the mountain bike season (July - October for us), our commitments are quite a bit more than during the rest of the year. And we don't regret it. We love the people, community, and mission of this youth development program hidden in a sport. So, I don't feel bad about letting other things slide. Dinners aren't as thought out. Running doesn't happen as religiously. We miss church on a few weekends when we are traveling for races. (Thankfully our services are recorded so I can view them later in the week. Not the same as being in person, but also nice to have access to.) Chores get more spaced out. Bigger projects are put on hold. I stop posting to Facebook and Instagram and writing blogs and newsletters for my coaching business.
We get to spend time as a family, outdoors, being active, with incredible people and we know it is a season.
As that season comes to a close, I am a little bit sad, but also excited about getting back to some of the rhythms and routines that I don't stick to as well during mountain bike season.
What seasons do you need to give yourself a little bit more grace during?