Remember when you were that little girl,
Looking at “the big girls” tumble?
You looked to your friend,
Saying, “That’ll be me someday!”

Remember when your only dream,
Was going to the Olympics?
When you used to sign your whole classes papers,
Saying, “That signature will be worth something, someday.”

Remember when going to practice was fun?
And you never wanted to leave?
When you and your teammates,
Thought you’d be together forever.

Now you’re older,
And gymnastics is harder.
When you fall it’s not just a scratch,
It’s a break, if you’re lucky.
Those “sister teammates” you thought you had,
Have now disappeared, promising,
“I’ll come back and visit someday!”
And as they left,
Tears fell from your face;
Because you knew deep inside,
They were gone forever.

Now when you drive to the gym,
You hold on to every second,
Not wanting to leave your car.
Those easy push-ups you once had,
Have turned into rope climbs, and weights.

Remember when everyone got a trophy?
Now only 5 out of 50 when a medal.
As you sit on the floor wishing it was you,
You realize competing isn’t about the glitz and the glamour anymore,
But pushing yourself to your breaking point.
Just to qualify for another meet to follow.

Remember when the day after practice was amazing?
Because you’d get to brag to all your friends,
About the new skills you’ve just achieved.
Now you’re lucky if you make it out of bed,
Let alone up the stairs.
You’re energy from a kid,
Now fades into pain, soreness, agony, and discomfort.

Just when you’re about to quit,
About to say you’ve had enough.
You look out the corner of your eye,
And you see that little girl whispering to her best friend,
“I want to be just like her,”
Suddenly, those “remember whens,”
Flash back to you.
You wipe your tears,
Get back up on the beam,
And you remember the sport you fell in love with,
Man years ago.
You remembered when.