2nd track meet~3/25/2010

This week has been an emotional week, filled with such "proud parent" moments. Kenna made the comment to me at the first meet that made me feel good-she said-Marcia, it is kind of like you have more than just your own kids isn't it? It really is! Being a primary teacher to a lot of Jdog's friends brought me a lot closer than I thought it would to so many kids, and I am so proud of them!
The week started out with my good friends daughter running the 400m race. She knew she couldn't win the shorter races, and she wanted to challenge herself so she signed up for the longest race! She ran like a champion, and even though she didn't win, and ran over the finish line with her friends cheering her on, then straight into her proud momma's arms! Talk about an impressive ten year old-I love and admire you Miss Kate!
Then it came time for the second track meet yesterday. I love Jaden, and his group of friends. They love each other and support each other just as friends should.
As Kenna ran the 50m race, the kids cheered her on, congratulating her at the end of the race after she came in 2nd place, qualifying for the Hershey Track Meet! Then it was Jaden's turn to run the 400m again. He ran a good race, and came in 4th place, with friends cheering him on and telling him how good he did, making him feel like a winner! Brock told him that he ran an awesome race, and Kenna told him that he is the fastest runner she knows, even though the kid that took 1st is in their class! True friends are hard to find. I am so glad that Jaden has a group of friends that are honestly outstanding individuals!
Then as I stood with Jaden, Kenna, Brock, and a few other kids, a girl ran over to the group. Someone asked this girl if she had seen how well so&so had ran-the girl responded with a bratty "Like I care"! I wanted to slap the child, but the kids in J's group just ignored her snotty comment and went on talking about how great this person had ran!
After the meet I asked J how he felt about his race. His response made me proud to be his mom. He said, Well, at last year's track meet I didn't even place. This year at the first race I came in 7th in the whole school, and at today's race I took 4th. So I am getting better every time I run-I bet by next year I will be even better!
Obviously it is hard to lose, it is not something one would chose to do. But I am so proud that my kids can lose, as well as they win-most of the time! Self improvement is the key to life. If we are just sitting idle and not trying to better ourselves what good are we? It is funny how much we learn from our children. Jaden's comment was so simple, yet so profound! You will always be a champion in my eyes Jdog, I strive to be just like you!