I love this picture of wetsuited siblings at the edge of the surf with their boogie boards.
Instead of surfing this weekend, I took a trip to Encinitas with my friend and photographer Jessica, to shoot some photos of fellow mom-surfer Jamie G. and her family -- at home and on the beach.
Not too long ago, I interviewed Jamie about her life as a surfer and how she manages to pursue something she loves while also handling the responsibilities and stresses of having a family.
What we witnessed during our shoot was something that keeps coming up, again and again, in the lives of mother/athletes --- significant support on the homefront.
Not that a woman can't pursue the life she loves without support at home. She certainly can. But when she does, pursuing her passion can become an additional source of stress rather than a source of pure joy.
Every step of my surfing and writing adventure has benefitted from the support I've gotten from my husband and friends. Two weeks ago, when I was able to get the support of a women's surfing community, my joy increased tenfold.
The more deeply I delve into the lives of women performing remarkable feats of athleticism, elite and amateur, the more conscious I am of this: no one does it on their own.
Behind every great woman, therefore, is not simply another woman, or a man, but a village.
It's a cliche for a reason. It's true.
Thank you for the acknowledgment of my support, Jescia. I love what you are doing by learning to surf and by seeking to share the important news and your insights about motherhood and athletics.
ReplyDeleteI hope your message goes far and wide, touching women and families that need it. Actually, it's more than hope. I know it will so I am patiently waiting for people to catch on.
Love,
Brian