CAA TCC 2009
Congratulations Josephine and Cera!
You both impressed me with your grace, kindness, and your ability to enjoy the art of tree climbing!
Josephine, I know your Masters challenge didn't go the way you planned it to, but I have to tell you, when you were going out to the far handbell station near the top of the tree, and you were struggling, I saw you gather up your strength and focus, and you just made it happen! I look forward to watching you compete for years to come, as you are one of the most gifted climbers I have ever met!
Cera, you are one great gal! Your spirit, your infectious smile, your all encompassing hugs, all of them make you such a special person. I know that it took a lot of courage to get up in front of that crowd and perform at the level that you did. I enjoyed every minute of your climb, and I look forward to seeing you climb in the future!
On a sad note, our five women climbers that I had hoped on competing dwindled to 2 on Friday, and I have to be honest, it hit me hard. I felt like I had let the group down, like there was something I should have done that I didn't do.....
but as the weekend went on, I know that everything happens for a reason, and this experience has taught me that I have a lot more work to do to convince women climbers that this is the TCC that they want to compete in. Josephine and Cera, you two are the reason why I want to work so hard to get more people like you involved in CAA TCC.
I realize that I need help in my goal, and I am asking for help. This year for the first time since helping run this event, I didn't improve on the number of women climbers competing. Last year we had 3, this year, only 2.
Next year, it may sound crazy, but I KNOW that we will have 10+ women competitors at the CAA's 8th Annual Tree Climbing Championship!
SZ
