Pictures and video from the exam

[pegkerr]

Delia's First degree black belt exam September 6, 2008

with Mr. Sidner, our sensei since Delia was seven. Fiona was Delia's pad partner.

Delia's First degree black belt exam September 6, 2008

Sparring. Delia is the fighter in the black helmet:

Delia performs her bo form "Discovery":

Sensei ties on her belt!

Comments

[maribou]

SO COOL!

And I am just going to take a moment to say that this? This supporting your kids fiercely and thoroughly and patiently and helping them achieve their dreams in tangible and intangible ways?

Is just as inspiring as good novels are. In many of the same ways.

You rock!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I am so unbelievably proud of her--of both my girls--tonight.

[wintercreek]

Can you believe that you are raising two black belts? I am just blown away by this!

And once you've earned your black belt too ... woe betide Rob if he crosses anyone in the family. :)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

The family joke is that he has to be a really brave man to willingly live with three women who can kick him in the head.

(I'm kinda in awe myself.)

[norabombay.livejournal.com]

congrats to Delia on a major accomplishment.

[kijjohnson.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's wonderful! Thank you for sharing it.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

That is so fantastic!! Congrats Delia!

[kiwiria.livejournal.com]

Well done! Please pass on my congratulations to her :)

[tinymich.livejournal.com]

Oh, when they tied on her belt in that swift, decisive motion, and she and her sensei bowed to each other, I felt so proud to watch it -- I can't imagine how infinitely many multiples more proud YOU must be feeling! Two black belt daughters! What an accomplishment for them - and for you and Rob, as their parents. Truly wonderful!

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

That was so cool! NOw I can watch it and share in it and she was really amazing. Very focused and centered. She's a star and she's got a new fan im me!

[aome.livejournal.com]

She looks tired but so, so happy. I'm elated for her, too. My girls wanted to see the videos, too, and they were very impressed. When is your assessment (and Fiona's)?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Well, Fiona's already a black belt, if you'll remember--she got it last December. She might be able to test for black belt second degree in about a year. She's earned one of the three section stars she needs before she can start screening for that. (She knows she's going to chose to do the kama form on her second degree test because she has fallen in love with her kamas.)

I dunno when I'll get my black belt. I can count on being a brown belt for maybe about six months. Then there's single black stripe, then double black stripe, and then I start the screening process, which takes at least three months, and not everyone passes it the first time. I figure at least a year and a half for me.

[aome.livejournal.com]

I meant the star section for Fiona, and the brown test for you. I thought you said they were coming up soon? How did I misunderstand that? Did those things already happen and I forgot already? I must need my head examined.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I got my brown and Fiona got the first section star during the advanced belt test in our dojo which was held the last week of August.

[flourish.livejournal.com]

CONGRATULATIONS! I'll never forget the moment I got my black belt, and I'll never stop being grateful to my parents for helping me get there, and I'm sure Delia will feel the same way.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to Delia!

[mjryan.livejournal.com]

What an amazing accomplishment! Way to go, Delia!

[skg.livejournal.com]

WOW!!! Congratulations Delia!!

[avengangle.livejournal.com]

Wow! Congrats! That's so awesome. Your daughters are so talented and beautiful and strong. (As are you, but we're talking about Delia here. :))

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I am so impressed by this!

I knew she would do it!

[bohemianspirit.livejournal.com]

Peg, I am so impressed and so proud of Delia. She had a setback, with that illness a few months back, but picked herself up and kept going, as I knew (from everything you write about her!) she would. I know very little about karate, but I'd say it's that kind of spirit and perseverance that will serve her well in continuing her studies and continuing to improve her mastery of the art.

Would have liked to have been there, but my son arrived in town Saturday morning--I met him at the airport--and of course I've been spending time with family these past few days. I was with her in spirit, at least. ;-)

Re: I knew she would do it!

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thanks, K. I am glad you can have some together time with your family right now.

[corinnethewise.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to Delia!!

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to Delia!

And I know this entry is all about her (and well-deserved!) but I keep thinking more about you. I just "published" a knitting pattern for a rowing sock, and it reminded me of you in a roundabout way. Lots of the comments said something like, "Wow, I have a son / daughter who rows so we've been involved with the sport for years. I'm going to make these for him/her - I can tell you really know your rowing!"

And of course I'm grateful for those comments, chuffed that they like my pattern, and pleased that they're supporting their kid and the sport of rowing. But another part of me keeps thinking, "Yeah, I know rowing, but you don't. You may know the jargon, and the details of form, and even that it's a strenuous sweaty thing rather than the graceful play it seems from a distance. But you don't know rowing.

You don't know what it's like to go to work blisters on your hands, to lance them with a needle so it doesn't hurt to type. You don't know what it's like when you're in a race and the demons whisper 'Ease up a little. So what if you finish a little further back? No one but you will care,' but you push yourself into greater pain anyway, out of pride and grit. You don't know what it's like when your body is cold and sluggish at 5AM and you have to have faith you'll warm up when you get moving - and that the sunrise you'll see will make it all worth while. You don't know what it's like to row with - or to be - a woman who's never been any good at sports, and to see her commit to one in midlife and begin to consider herself an athlete. I'm glad you're here and our sport needs support like yours but you don't know."

And that's why I do think of you every time you write about your daughters and the joy they take in their sport. Because you *do* know. And I suspect that's a part of the joy for Fiona and Delia, too.

Anyway, off the soapbox. Sorry.

[irinaauthor.livejournal.com]

Congratulations to Delia! That's outstanding!

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

I love the bo form; she looks so crisp and poised. Congratulations again.