Riding The Wave – Multiple Myeloma

A lucky shot

“A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.”  – Author Unknown

I stayed home while Dave flew for a fast and furious, in Montana’s words, “fleeting” weekend to University of Maryland, home of the Terrapins, better known as the TERPS, to attend her Senior Day recognition ceremony for her final diving meet, ever. We couldn’t both afford to go so far, (one of the many things you face in financial stress dealing with cancer) to be there on her very special milestone. But we took it all in stride, like we have so many other things in our lives. Which by the way, I’m very proud of us in that regard.

Anyway, while I schlepped her around to all manner of dive meets near and far, even Canada, for almost 16 years (well not the last four), I was happy that Dave got to go for so many reasons. He had been unable to participate in her college diving experience since he first moved away for his new job in 2008 and then became ill that June. I missed an entire year of her competition while he was being treated. Fortunately I was able to go back a few times once things settled down. So when the day came, it was Dave who was to go.

Naturally, trying to get intel on the event took some time. They were busy, they were tired, they were off to the Cornerstone to play pool and drink beer with her teammates and sorority sisters in celebration. I would simply have to wait.

Finally things began to dribble in. A great shot of her hugging her Dad at the end of the team’s “Slap Line” (high fives). Complete with roses and balloons. She told me that she got all emotional running through the line and by the time she got to her Dad she just fell into his arms crying. The photographers had a hard time getting the requisite parent/athlete shot because she was crying.

Her godparents were there, Ron & Sally, our mutual friends, Judy & Mike. Our wonderful friend who raised my kids, Ms. Colson, and her son Tchad. A Montgomery County Dive League past Board Member and President, and my partner in crime, Karl was there with his son, who now attends UMD. Lots of Montana’s friends and Sorority Sisters. It was a good day.

But to really put it in perspective, enjoy her Sorority Sister/Roommate’s video montage. It will give you a lovely flavor of the event. It starts showing her running through the line and if you look carefully (keep your eye on the white shirt), you will see her hugging her father over the heads of others on the deck.

Montana’s Senior Swim Meet (larger version for viewing at Vimeo)

Montana was nationally ranked at age 13 and like many youngsters who are primarily driven in one particular sport or activity, they begin to want to experience “other things”. So she quit US Diving as she headed into HS. She continued to dive for both her HS and Summer League, but neither garnered her much in the way of serious coaching.  She coached in the summer league, children from ages 4-18, while continuing to compete for 3-4 years through HS. As she hoped, she made the team for LaCrosse and Field Hockey (despite having never played), and lettered in all three of her sports there. She had the HS experience she wanted in so many ways and more. When she started as a freshman she was their only diver. By the time she graduated, there were nine divers who had come to join the dive team. A similar thing happened at Maryland. The team and coaching had had its share of difficulties during a transition. When she decided to dive for Maryland (shock! shock! No really, she hadn’t had the level of coaching needed for a Div I school), they were still sorting out a new diving coach and again, she was their only diver. ARGH! But she stuck it out, worked hard to regain more competitive diving technique and the team grew and grew and she loved them all.

While you can’t hear much on the loud speaker, I did hear something about dedicating her last meet to her Dad. Sniff, sniff. The message from us that flashed on the megatron was the following:

“We continue to be immensely proud of you Montana. A bright, stable, light in our life, full in spirit, a quest for understanding, generous and unencumbered by life’s many challenges. Thank you. Congratulations. We love you dearly, and are proud to call you ‘friend’ with admiration and respect. Mom & Dad”

Tags: montana, postaweek2011, Senior Day, UMD