A Deal's a Deal

Laurel was on a team for the first time this year. She chose to run cross country. At the first race she came in last. At the next race she came in last. I was trying to come up with a way to encourage her so I told her if she ran under a 12 minute mile I would buy her running sneakers. She tried hard at the next race, but fell short. The following week she still did not break the 12 minute mark. She was frustrated and sad and asked why I just wouldn't buy her the sneakers. I explained that while I was tempted to just say- good enough and go get them, I wanted her to feel the pride of accomplishment. I knew she would do it sooner or later and that it would feel great to "earn" them and not just get them because I feel bad for her. At the fifth race grammy, daddy, mommy, nana and Owen were all there to cheer her on. Within 5 steps of the start of the race Laurel fell hard on the pavement. My eyes filled with tears- poor Laurel is never going to get these sneakers. I was tempted to go scoop her up and hug her. But thankfully before I could move, she popped right up and started running again. I saw her at the half-way point coming out of the woods doing great. I yelled, "You're my hero Laurel. You just got right up and started running again." At the end of the race she told me, "When I fell down it really hurt but I did not want to come in last and the longer I sat there, the further everyone was getting away from me so I just got up and started running."
She got an 11:55 mile. Well- a deal is a deal and even though there was only one race left, we went to the sneaker store to buy running sneakers. Laurel had not had her feet measured in years. Usually we either use hand-me-downs or go to the summer sidewalk sale and get whatever shoe felt comfortable. The lady measured her fit and put a brand new pair of sneakers on. I knew the expense may not be justified so I used my birthday money that had been waiting for a good use in my wallet. Laurel was amazed how comfortable her new sneakers were. She has worn them with pride everyday since.
Laurel and I have learned a lot from this cross country season. So much has come easy to her, like reading and other schoolwork. It was good for her to learn how to stick with something and work hard and know what it is like to not be the best. I think she has learned more life lessons from this short season than if she had been the star- runner. (But maybe she can feel what it is like to be a star runner next season now that she has running shoes :)