I thought about calling this post, "Bursting with Pride", but decided that wasn't the right title because it wasn't my day to shine, but Graeme and Renee's. They both were keen to enter their respective races in the Stocksundsloppet and give it their best shot. Graeme raced first at 10am. He ran against boys and girls born in 2002, 2003 or younger. He was so funny at the starting line, holding his arms in the flexed and ready position, eyes fixed straight ahead. I wasn't so confident that he would understand what was going on around him, but he did just fine. There were four commands spoken before they were off and the kids leapt from the starting line like they had been held back by a rubber band! Graeme jostled for position as the field quickly approached a bottleneck and he escaped unscathed, unlike a few unlucky children who tumbled on the bumpy ground. He ran out of my sight and before I knew it, he was back again, completing the 500m course very quickly. He ran through the chute, received his medal and a big hug and kiss from me. He finished in the top 10 or 12 runners and deserved to feel good about his performance. Renee ran her 2140m race at 10:30. She ran against boys and girls born in the year 2000. Renee stood nervously at the start line, in the second row of runners and behind the boys. I was glad to see her there, knowing that the boys would take off fast and lead the way, considering she wasn't sure of the course. I was so happy to see her return to the finish area, holding her own in third place! Wow! I loved how they used a child-sized picnic table as a podium. They announced her name and she took her place with the other two girls. They were each awarded an engraved trophy and a big cheer went up as they lifted their prizes.
I am bursting with pride for them because they have the confidence to enter contests like this without expecting to come out on top. I love that they were eager to participate and that they smiled the entire time. I hope that all of my children develop a lifelong love of activity and the willingness to participate irregardless of the outcome. They are off to a great start!
