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We got a new floor last week, and while I am elated for the blessing God has given us and it is absolutely beautiful, new, and clean, I can't help but be a little nostalgic about saying goodby to our old floor that's been in our gym since we moved into this building 25 plus years ago. I thought about watching routines on it as a kid, and how much sweat has been on it ( i know kind of gross lol ). How many tears have been cried on it, and how much excitement has poured out while standing on it. It was such a bittersweet moment. How many first steps have been taken on it, and kids who learned to crawl on it. I thought about how many kids have done farewell solos on it, and how many times Ellen and I have laid down on it together, in a quiet gym after a long week and spoken our blessings out loud to one another. It was so bittersweet.
We got a new floor last week and I had to remind myself that it wasn’t the building or the equipment that made up our mission. It was the hearts of our staff. The love of our parents. The hard work of our athletes. That more sweat will happen on the new carpet, more tears of both defeat and success will be shed, and more memories will be made. And for that, I am so grateful. I am grateful that no matter what equipment comes in and out of our gym, the mission remains the same that it was on day one all those years ago. To love God’s Children, to be a positive influence in their lives, and to teach them the hard lessons they will use to be successful in life through a sport we so deeply love. New floor, same mission.