1. A daughter
2. A student
3. An athlete...OK, I was a swimmer and that is all :-)
4. A sister
5. A grand daughter
6. A cousin
7. A friend
8. A niece
9. A wife
10. A mother - of which I am the most proud!!
Really the list could go on and on but after a conversation with one of my sisters today I know that I have been blessed to have been called to be a teacher and a coach and maybe more importantly, a mentor.
Children have come and gone in my life for the past 21 years, none of which belonged to me through blood ties, but all of which belonged to me for a moment as I introduced them to the water or took them to a place (and times) in their swimming careers that they never thought possible. Those children looked up to me, trusted me with their lives and their hopes and dreams and they allowed me in to their lives.
Some of those children are now getting married while others are finishing high school or finishing college. Some of those children would not recognize me if I showed up at their doorstep today but yet I will always remain a person who left an imprint on their lives.
I had coaches who made all those impressions (and more) on my life and because of those coaches I worked hard to hone my craft and become the very best coach and teacher that I could be. I am most proud of those moments when some of those children say "I remember when..." I made an impact and I have furthered a sport that I love with every fiber of my being. I have inspired others to pass on this sport to another generation with a passion that is needed to REALLY be a teacher.
Anyone can teach....but not everyone can be a teacher. I am blessed to have been able to have that title. I am blessed to have been a part of and a memory for so many children over the past 21 years.
My name is Dayna Harvey Palmer and I have been a teacher and a coach for 21 years....and I am not sure that I will ever be able to quit. It is my drug of choice and I am totally OK with that. Actually, I think that I am kind of proud of it!!
So, here is to never really "retiring". May I continue to be blessed to get to touch the lives of other people's children in the environment that smells of chlorine be that as their teacher OR the teacher of the teachers and the coach of the coaches :-)
Here is to inspiration and passion!
