To Row or Not to Row

I'm not completely clear whether I will encourage my daughter to become a rower. Here at Henley, ample evidence exists of the obsessive nature of crew, from the blisters and calluses to the massive leg muscles to the steely look in the competitors' eyes. All sports, of course, are competitive and require sacrifice. But crew does seem to be an activity that asks for an especially high number of sacrificial gifts: other interests, career, friendships, even family. I fought while rowing actively in college to maintain a "balanced" student career (writing for the newspaper, teaching French drill class, and brushing up my classical guitar from time to time). Rowing on a top-flight college crew these days, though, really does seem to be an all-or-nothing deal. On the other hand, it may be that my sport was exactly what I needed to get me through and to strengthen me for the other interests that exist in my life. I was discussing my quandary with the parent of a Brown rower one day, and she pointed out that as serious as the dilemma of what direction to push my daughter in might seem, I might want to consider the odd chance that Annalee will do what she's going to do, no matter how hard she's pushed -- or in what direction.