Grit to withstand Adeline Vail Christianson

I’ve come to understand that when I choose a path in life, I’m bound to face some roadblocks along the way. I now see these hurdles not as impenetrable obstacles but instead as opportunities. I can appreciate the new direction they take me and the lessons I learn from them. My faith in God has helped with this clarity.

March 2013 is when I thought all my doors closed. Or maybe they opened. I was an up and coming skater, amazed by the possibilities I could pursue. My career was on track to compete at the international level; I had goals to accomplish, and I looked forward to the day when I’d finally make the world acclaimed Team Braemar Junior Synchronized Figure Skating Team.

Then, my long time coach who had brought the top team to five national championships quit to join the coaching staff of a rival team. Chaos ensued as she persuaded many of my closest friends to join her team. I was shocked by their sudden departure and felt betrayed by them. I found myself uncharacteristically nervous about my future. Remaining at Braemar would require tenacity as we now lacked talent and focus. What had seemed like a promising future in skating was now a lingering dark abyss.

After much upheaval, the light started to emerge at the end of...