Dear Track Mom….

 Poem

Hey Mama,

I see you’re signing your baby up for Summer track, so I feel I should warn you...

You’re signing up for more than endless sun-beaten hours, sitting on hard and uncomfortably hot bleachers and weekends and weekends of meets.

You’re also signing up for awkward first encounters with new parents.

For a backseat full of competitively rowdy (and stinky) track kids.

For a pretty penny in shiny new equipment, and an endless amount of spikes and searching for a spike tool. 

And for a lifetime supply of sunblock with a membership to the 'where the hell did you leave your uniform” club.

But Mama, I also feel you should know…

You’re signing up for those new parents to become a family like no other.

For those kids to become beloved children that you root for as loud as your own.

For the medals and ribbons to become your most prized trophies.

For those wrinkled bibs to become priceless treasures.

And for those fleeting hours on well-loved bleachers, to become sun-drenched memories that last a lifetime.

So, while you’re about to sign your baby up for Summer track...

You’re signing up to play a part in one of the greatest sports in history.

You’re about to become a track mom.

You’re about to fall in love.

And Mama… One more thing...

Years from today, you’ll look at the new moms signing up their little runners and throwers.

And you’ll see them the way I see you now. With sympathy for the trials they are about to endure, but more so, with envy for all of the triumphs yet to come... Enjoy it while it lasts. ♥️

* Revised from a post from Raise Her Wild with Mehr Lee