Tae Kwon Do tournament this weekend in Branson.  It was a little difficult to think about it being the last time we attend a tournament with John Mynatt, my son's instructor.  John is moving away and watching my son struggle has been difficult but beautiful.  You see, I know withthe struggle comes strength.  

My son was stretching and warming up before the tournament and he whispered to me, "Can you come watch me do my form?"  I said, "Sure, I would love to" even though I have no idea if he is doing things correctly - it all looks good to me 🌟 And, it was obvious that he was struggling and he had gotten into his head.  Oh no!  Just like his Momma 😳  I tried coaching him by reminding him to use positive self talk - and then he said, "This is my last tournament and I want to win for John."  Oh my, no, no, no - tears stream down my face.  And, I don't want him to see.  So, I turn away and try to pull it together and I can't.  I look around, frantically for John and in the distance I see him.  I motioned him over and ask him to help Chance.  He springs into action and gets Chance back to balanced - 💥 BOOM!  Chance goes on to perform in what I think was one of his strongest performances on the mat and it doesn't go as he hoped and - Mom doesn't know how to help him - but John does.  He directs Chance into a sparring match with his best buddy, Brady (John's black belt son).  Chance jumps in and fights and comes out smiling.  Another balance moment.  Then, his team to the rescue.  Time for karate flag, which always gets Chance pumped.  His teammates laughed, competed, laughed some more, engaged the referees in their charades and it was so beautiful to see - especially because it helped me gain balance too (I was still upset with the blind judge from 30 minutes before).  

I am pretty sure John will never know what he accomplished in those moments, how he impacted him over the course of the last 3 years or what he did to make Chance a winner - but I do.  I am forever grateful for the balance John helped him to know.  

John, may you receive all of the blessings you have so easily and readily shared since Chance first stepped onto the mat and you began building a champion with a dream.  You are a hero! 🌟🥋🥊🏆