Swim, Ellie, Swim!

It's time for your race and you're ready to start.
You'll give it your best and you'll put in your heart.
The buzzer sounds loudly, it's time to jump in.
Just dive in the pool and swim, Ellie, swim!

Don't wait, jump in quickly, it's now time to leap.
You're doing your best and tomorrow you'll sleep.
Keep kicking, and pulling, and moving along.
As long as you're trying you cannot go wrong.

When your muscles scream "STOP!"
and you want to give in ...
Keep going, don't quit,
just swim, Ellie, swim.

When the race seems long and you don't think you'll win,
Be brave and get started and and hold up your chin
When you're tired and worried, not sure how to begin
Don't think twice about it, just swim, Ellie, swim!

Sometimes you'll win and sometimes you won't
But doing the job is important - so don't
grieve over losses or think you aren't strong,
You are! On the podium, is where you belong.

Swimming in general is so much like life
At times things come easy and then comes the strife
There'll be clouds, wind, and waves as you glide down your lane.
Be happy and hopeful, and don't mind the rain.

You're the best of the best and the cream of the crop
You'll go far in your life if you just never stop
trying and reaching and kicking to win.
So shake off your doubts and swim, Ellie, swim!

For life is not winning or losing so much
but swimming and swimming until you can touch.
Then you'll hold your head high and put on a grin.
You finished, you made it! So Swim, Ellie, Swim!

-Kaye Kindlespire
March 2017
(for my darling granddaughter)