A Tae kwon do Girl

I went to a nightly adult tae kwon do lesson and was changing in the locker room.

There were two girls doing the same, having just finished the last kid's tae kwon do class of the day. I knew the girls because I have taught them both from time to time. But one young lady in particular happens to go to school with my youngest son; they're in the same grade.

She was watching me as I dropped my bag to the floor and dug out my uniform. I looked up and smiled figuring she was trying to remember my name.

"Is DJ your son?"

"Yes," I responded.

She didn't seem to have anything else to say so I figured our conversation was over. She surprised me when she said,

"Man is he lucky."

Okay, now I was interested. Like most boys, my son doesn't tell me very much about his school day. So I assumed she had some terrific piece of gossip that I just had to know.

"Why do you say he's lucky?" I asked her.

"He's lucky his mom is so strong."

I had to think for a second about what she said. This young lady had been at the black belt test where I was allowed to test for 3rd degree. I remember her family cheering when I broke two concrete block pavers that were stacked on end like dominoes on a platform. It was a very satisfying thing especially because I had never practiced with real blocks before. I had been using kicking pads which are far lighter.

She was at the test because she'd worked to the bodan level which is just before black belt. She was participating in the test to earn her first black belt, a great achievement for anyone. But at that moment, she looked at me as if I walked on water.

And for a split second, I thought I could.

I am a reluctant hero. It both pleases and embarrasses me when people praise my martial arts techniques. Yet when I think back to my childhood, there were very few female athletes that I could look up to.

Girls need role models. So for that reason, I'm humbled but willing to suffer a little hero worship

By: Kalynn Amadio

Before you decide on a martial art for your child, visit Kalynn Yourmadio's website, Taekwondo-Network for resources on the fastest growing martial art in the world. Your tae kwon do girl in the making will thank you for it.

Article Directory: http://www.articlewisdom.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated