| "My Swim Taxi Mom" by Pat Underhill | |
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Jan 30, 2013 |
"My Swim Taxi Mom"
I grew up in Eden Prairie, back when the main road in town was
a dirt road. Our backyard was fairly big, with a swing set, and a
sand box. Not exactly a big draw in the neighborhood.
My backyard neighbor had a pool, and I would go over to his
house to hang out and play in the pool. Now, that's where I wanted
to be. My neighbor was SEMS Head Coach Eric Seversen. Small
world.
Besides hockey, my mom was looking for another activity for me
to get into. Eric's mom suggested I join the local swim club, where
Eric had begun swimming. So, I joined the Eden Prairie
Foxjets.
I can still remember the first day of practice. I jumped in,
and the group was swimming butterfly. I don't think I'd ever seen
butterfly, much less tried it. I watched some of my teammates, and
gave it a try. I can't confirm this, but I'm sure it was
horrible.
After a few weeks of practice, I came to one conclusion about
swimming. I hated it. Too much work, not enough fun. My mom
mentioned my displeasure to Mrs. Seversen, and she had some advice.
Wait until after the first meet.
Sure enough, she was right. I had my first meet and was
hooked. There's something about only relying on yourself, and
getting up there to race.
I wasn't winning anything, as is the case with most skinny
little guys. However, I worked hard at it, and I developed the
skills to become good. It took years of work for the big
payoff.
My mom became very involved in swimming, as a Board Member,
and Swim Taxi Driver. She was always shuttling us back and forth
between school, swimming, and home. She had snacks for us to eat on
the way, as that seems to be where the swim family meal inevitably
happens.
I don't think she ever missed a swim meet. She was there for
all of the failures and successes. She was proud of me regardless
of what happened in the pool. My mom was without a doubt my biggest
supporter.
The truth of the matter is that my mom knew nothing about
swimming. In fact, she doesn't know how to swim. That became very
apparent at the parent-swimmer relay we did. It was embarrassing.
However, the Underhill Clan won in spite of her floundering around
in the water.
I was successful because my mom was always there with
unconditional support. She never pressed me about my performance,
compared me to other kids, questioned my coaches, or shielded me
from failure. She allowed me to find my own way, without any undue
pressure.
I developed a life-long love of swimming. I can't imagine
doing anything else but coaching. It's a passion, and every time I
walk through those pool doors, and smell the chlorine, I can't wait
to teach.
There are so many people to thank for guiding me to my dream
profession. Mrs. Seversen is one of them. If it weren't for her, I
wouldn't have gotten into swimming, and wouldn't have stuck with
it. Thanks to ALL of the people that helped me along the
way.
Now to my mom. Thank you for being there for me,
unconditionally, and for allowing me to enjoy my time in the pool.
It's the reason I still love it to this day.
Side note, my mom recently moved into a house with an indoor
pool in the basement. She's been asking me to teach her how to
swim. Now, wouldn't that be a big full-circle thank you from a boy
to his mom? I think we'll start with butterfly.
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