Happy Mother's Day: A Tribute to Mommy & Me

Once upon a time an overactive 2 year old was taken to a Mommy & Me class at her local club. She instantly fell in love with the sport, dedicated her life to it without realizing she had dedicated her mothers life to it too. From those early movement classes to the very last competition of her career, it was always Mommy & Me. 

• Mommy was the chauffeur to and from gym, even when she could have done something nice for herself.

• Mommy cleaned the gym every week at 4 am in exchange for the many hours of training.

• Mommy was the ambulance when things went wrong on a tumbling pass.

• Mommy was screamed at because, "she just didn't understand."

• Mommy was the cheeleader when there wasn't so much cheer.

• Mommy was the stylist making sure she had sewn the right leotard pattern.

• Mommy was the gym's interior decorator bringing life and color to the meets.

• Mommy said, "it's OK," when it was time to hang up the grips with dignity.

28 years later that little girl becomes a mommy hoping one day to have a class: Grandma, Mommy & Me.

Gymnastics has given me this unequivocal bond with my mother that I've never heard of with any other sport. Happy Mother's Day!


Gymnasts, ex-gymnasts: Please share your stories of how your mother influenced your gymnastics.