When I first started coaching, I was given a copy of this poem by Joyce Pennington, CEO of American Drill Team School. I carried copies of the poem with me to every competition my team entered. There was a period of time in which my team was fortunate enough to place consistently in the top 3 at every competition for 7 years straight. It was great to be on top, but I was concerned about how my dancers would handle defeat. When the day arrived, I would be prepared. It finally came, my team placed 7th place at an invitational. As planned, I passed out a copy of this poem to every girl on the bus. I had long forgotten that moment and the poem. In 98, my team didn't do as well as we had hoped for at our State Competition. A few days later, in the mail I received a copy of the same poem from one of my former dancers. It was crumpled and tattered. You see she had carried it in her wallet all these years (since 85). She had referred to it several times over the years when having a set back. How thoughtful that she would send it back to me to give the team and myself a lift.

DANCER'S PRAYER
Lord, you have taught me to except defeat.
To taste the bitter when I sought the sweet.
Knowing the longest night brings hopeful dawn,
I gather up the pieces, and go on.
Now, let your spirit tell me how to treat
A child whose dreams lie broken at her feet;
How to share the hard-earned wisdom and the calm,
The confidence, to be her soar hearts balm?
She's tender, lord. Her hurts hurt more than mine.
She's young, and thinks the sun will never shine.
Just yesterday, she laughed and walked in clover.
Teach her tomorrow is for starting over.