gymnast hands

Originally uploaded by la_mamacita_81.

“The chipped nail polish says ‘third-grader,’ but the callouses and rips and uncanny grace say ‘competitor.’

She qualified for the competition months ago, and the exhale and jubilation after that triumph were brief. Now the days are few and the pressure is on. I try to minimize it for her, keep it in perspective, but she feels tenfold of whatever nerves I’m feeling at any given time. ”