My Memoir

              For composition in school, I had to write a memoir. I was thinking of trying to get it published, but I don't think it is good enough to have much of a chance, and since I am very busy, I didn't want to waste my time. Instead, I am going to post it on here. That doesn't mean that publishing is out of the question. 

             Another reason I am putting it up here, is because the Good King wanted to see some of my work, and after some resistence, I let him read it. I didn't want to stay in that uncomfortable place by him while he read it, so I went up stairs. When I came down, he had edited my final draft! I really don't see why he has to correct our finished works, since they have already been handed in to the teacher. But since he did edit it, of course I wanted to make the corrections and do something withn it--- hence blog publishing! My grandma and uncle from Minnesota are visting and my grandma also read the finished copy. Well, I guess that's enough talk. Here it is. 
      
                                                                          

        When I Moved Up to Age Group Platinum 

           

            There were three levels for the group of 9-12 year olds on SWAT, the swim team I used to be on.  In order from the slowest to the best swimmers, the levels were Age Group Silver, Age Group Gold, and Age Group Platinum. It was when I had already been in Age Group Gold for nine months that I was getting anxious to move to the next group. 

                I started to get upset about it on a Monday in June, the day after the last meet with my old coach, Coach Tony. As usual, my parents dropped me off early so I could watch Age Group Platinum practice. While I watched them from the balcony by the locker rooms, the sweet, homey scent of chlorinated water drifted up to my nostrils, and I looked with longing at the speedy swimmers slicing the water below me. Then my thoughts turned to dismay, for amid the torrent of splashing feet swam James, the only swimmer in Gold who could sometimes go faster than me, even though he was only nine. Now James and Ally, two of my best swimming friends, and Coach Tony, my favorite coach, had all left me behind. Age Group Gold just wasn't going to be the same without them there anymore.

            After Platinum was done, our practice started. It was extremely easy for me. 

            I needed a challenge so I asked the swimmer next to me, "Can you race me?"

            "Why?"

            "Well, usually James and Ally race me, but they're gone now."

            "I guess," he said.

            I raced him and beat him.   

            I asked another of the faster Gold swimmers, "Can you race me?"

            "Sure!" she said.

            I raced her and beat her.

            The new Gold coach said to me, "Jacinta, make sure you are swimming moderately, not hard." 

            "I am," I replied, because I was.

            That night, in the van when we came home, I was having a conversation with my mom about it and broke down crying.

            "I thought you said that if I get a state cut, I will move up to Platinum," I said between sobs.

            "You don't have to have one, but you at least have to be close."

            "Well, two of the girls in my group have a couple state cuts each, and they're not in Platinum. So how will I ever be if I don't even have one?" 

            She answered, "We just have to trust God about these things." 

            I picked up my swim bag and gear bag, and we headed out of the van, through the dark night, and into the house, where I could blow my nose.

            The next day after school, I was in the middle of watching All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series, one of our family's favorite shows at the time, when my mom rushed down the stairs with a message for me.

            "I have something to show you."

            "What?" I asked.

            I was a little afraid that I might be in trouble and quickly scanned my mind for anything I had done wrong. I followed her up the stairs and to the answering machine with a pounding heart. She pressed play for a message. Many ideas flashed through my mind as I heard an unfamiliar voice talking--- about me?

            "This is Mark Shrank." Mark Shrank? The Age Group Platinum coach? Then his voice changed and he resumed his regular sound which reminded me of a bunch of mini robots playing leapfrog. But what was he saying?

            "I saw Jacinta swimming at the meet on Sunday..."

            More words.

            "...she could start practicing with Age Group Platinum..."

            Wait! Was I just going to practice with them to see how well I could do, or was I being bestowed the great honor of joining the highest level of Wisconsin's second fastest swim team? I strained to pay attention and towards the end of the message, I had concluded that I was being bestowed the honor. I looked at my mom, and we exchanged an excited smile. Then I rushed down the stairs to announce the news to my siblings and finish watching the episode. My heart was still pounding. 

            On Wednesday, the day after the message, I headed to Platinum practice with my swimsuit; cap; goggles; gear bag; and a yellow bottle full of water, lemon juice, and cucumbers. Brand new and inexperienced, I slipped into the cool water for a monotonous set of 50 100 yard swims. Now those times are long gone, and I don't even swim anymore, but whenever I think of that day, it fills me with pride to know that I was once a Platinum swimmer.

           

                            The end. I always want my writing to improve; please feel free to criticize my work.