BeBe and I hit the roller skating rink again Sunday night for the $1 skating session. It was a really good time as usual. But when we arrived, we had no idea how special the night would be. Lots of special times tend to sneak up on us. That's what makes them so special, right?
She was still feeling a little weak still from having been sick. She had to stop and sit with me and rest every now and then. I asked if she needed to go home and she said no every time. I asked her if she'd be able to race. I know the race has come to be very meaningful to her even though she hadn't won one. She said she could. The race at the midpoint of the session is a big event for all the kids. BeBe skates in the 10 and under division, and at 7, she is usually one of the younger girls.
Race time came and she hopped out onto the rink. I could see the excitement of it all had her feeling better. There were 12 other girls out there and many of them were older and taller. But she's a competitor and was not fazed.
The whistle blew and I can't believe it, she's beat them all to the first turn. As she comes back she looks at me on the sideline with that "Look at me I'm winning Daddy" smile. Of course being a good coach I coaxed her and yelled to look forward, not at me. She is still leading at the end of the first lap and as she approached the first turn again I notice another girl gaining a little. B comes out of the turn still in the lead and is head down pumping those legs. The other girl is bigger and isn't tiring as much as my BeBe. She's only about 10 feet behind her now. It's gonna be close. And... Whatta ya know, my girl won the race. Unbelievable. She was so excited and grinning from ear to ear. My eyes wanted to gush. And then the MOST amazing thing happened. Instead of skating off to celebrate with her friends she skated right up into my arms. She obviously knows how to treat her biggest fan. I kissed her and told her I was proud and sent off to her friends. I could have held on to her the rest of the night, but she needed their congratulation too.
I stood for a minute, thankful and proud. I watched her friends gather around and enjoyed her moment in the sun from a distance. Another parent walked up and told me 'that's a fast little girl ya got there'. Oh man was it a cool moment in time.
And then, to be sure she wasn't the only one with a victory that night, I went and put an unbeatable high score on the old Ms. Pacman machine.
Technorati Tags: Roller Skating, Daughters, Family
NICE!!!! Give her my congratulations...I know you were so proud you floated home! Enjoy...
Posted by: fr'nklin | February 16, 2006 at 07:43 PM
I hate to say it, but it sure sounds like a mastercard 'priceless' moment....only for real!
Posted by: Marcguyver | February 16, 2006 at 09:57 PM