You sacrifice. Like a mother.
You pushed through the pain. Like a mother.
You got back to work. Like a mother.
You gave 100%, without any sleep. Like a mother.
You grew stronger. Like a mother.
You found an extra gear. Like a mother.
You battled. You showed them you never lost it.
You created greatness. Like a mother.
The commercial was a moving tribute and highlight real of the GOAT. The voice over is what got me. Serena’s mom, Oracene Price, the often shy and quiet (in public, anyway) supporter for her daughters, reads the tribute with emphatic fierceness of knowing what it like to be a mother, to watch your child succeed against many odds including inequality, racism, and health scares.
And then the commercial ends with the sounds of Serena’s daughter, Olympia, cooing. I was a mess.
Well Done, Mama
Serena didn’t win the 2018 Wimbledon title. That went to Angelique Kerber, and I can’t be mad, because Angie is a kind, determined woman, who struggled after winning her first Slam and through much of 2017, having to dig deep the find her confidence again to get back on top.
As the fortnight continued, Serena made it round after round, and with each collected win, seemed to be saying, “That was unexpected, but I’ll be damned if I’m quitting.” There is something about Serena’s game that I wish I could emulate. When she is down a 0-40 in a service game, about to be broken, you can see something click in her mind, as if she is saying, “No more of that.” And then she just does it. She creams a winner or booms an ace, reminding you that she is Serena and can do anything she puts her mind to.
As all those other seeded players fell throughout the fortnight, Serena remained. Dominika Cibulková , who was vocal of Serena getting a seed when she lost hers in order for that to happen, didn’t make it out of the quarters. Serena made it to the final. That is fraking amazing when you consider that Serena gave birth via C-section less than a year ago, and almost died when blood clots formed in her lungs post-surgeries (yes, plural surgeries).
Teach Your Children Well
On Monday, Serena tweeted, “These past 2 weeks was a sound for all moms stay home and working you can do it you really can! I’m not any better or diff than any of you all. Your support has ment so much to me. Let’s keep making noise everyday in everything we do.” It’s our jobs as moms to guide our children and help them become good citizens of Earth. In actions and in words, Serena used the 2018 Wimbledon tournament to teach many great lessons to her daughter, Olympia.
Losing is a part of life
We mothers have to teach our children that you don’t always come out on top. Sometimes you lose, and it can really sting. And you have to accept a loss with graciousness. It might be a blow to your self-esteem and that’s normal. It’s the dusting yourself off and trying again that will be remembered by others.
Cry, babygirl
It’s okay—and important—to show weakness in front of your child; I wish I had seen my mother cry more than that one single time. When Serena got choked up during her post-match interview, that was a blessing.
“I was really happy to get this far. For all the moms out there, I was playing for you today”
Grace, poise and emotion. A runner-up’s interview given by a true champion.@SerenaWilliams ? #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/jjtw3cWyEq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2018
Be badass and tell people about it
Serena showed her daughter that if you are good at what you do, it’s important to own it. Women and girls are taught to be diminutive, being so humble we diminish ourselves, and we self deprecate ourselves out of out accomplishments. We need to normalize accepting our own badassery. It’s like the dancerie Mary J Blije was talking about but better. Don’t need no hateration or holleration, just my badassery.
I asked Serena Williams if she minded always being the one to beat.
Her answer blew me away. #Wimbledon @serenawilliams @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XsHI26FSi4— Jamie Johnson (@JamieoJohnson) July 7, 2018
Fight for the greater good.
It’s ridiculous that the WTA does not have a maternity policy in place, when it’s the women’s tour and women—thanks to biology—who are the ones who have the babies. Many people fight against good maternity polices—including the WTA player board!—, refusing to look beyond selfish interests and do what is best for the good of women, children, and families (i.e. every person on the planet). Serena is fighting for mothers and for the fertility window (which is limited. Again see biology) and the health of all WTA players. Don’t stop, Serena. Keep going. Use that bully pulpit!
Be a friend.
The best friends in life are other strong women. Olympia will need her gal pals, and they will need her. Serena showed her daughter that you can fight like hell and then find respite in the arms of a friend.
Two great champions. Two great Fortnights.#Wimbledon #TakeOnHistory pic.twitter.com/uoCprISwmI
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2018
