In fifth grade I participated in my first track meet.
I was NERVOUS.
Mom came to support me.
Track meet culture and etiquette was unfamiliar ground.
Having my mom there meant a lot to me. What I didn't understand, was that by being there, she was entitled to stand on the edge of the track and yell my name and cheer me on. I ran my best. As I rounded the corner of the track to finish the mile, all I could hear was my mother's voice.
YELLING.
at ME.
I felt embarrassed.
"RUN Jenny! You can do it! Run as FAST as you can!"
It was overwhelming.
I wanted her to stop.
She wasn't a mind reader, so I took matters into my own hands.
I stopped abruptly on the track, STOMPED my foot and yelled back.
"I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN!"
Then I finished.
*
We laugh about it now, but I feel bad about my stomping. And yelling. I want a do over. I want to run towards the finish line and hear my mom yelling
"RUN Jenny! You can do it!"
This time I will understand what she's really saying:
"I love you Jenny! I don't care if you finish first or last--GOOD FOR YOU for running the race!"
6 comments:
Classic photo!
exactly! :-)
I've never seen this picture before. Cool. And Mom is still embarassing at my kids sporting events.
I never knew that you ran track. I'm assuming this was in Colorado. Loved the post.
Sweet remembrance about Mothers and their love for their children. Love, love, love those legs (and shorts) :-)
Laughing at Aaron's comments. :) Funny. And if I recall the story correctly, mom actually was running BESIDE you while yelling at you. Good times.
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