Last

Our school has two distance races in each age group. A and B team. The faster runners are in the A race and those who don’t make it there are in the B race.

Quintus made the A group. He was so scared of finishing last and tonight that is exactly what happened in the one race. He came last. As a mother it is SO hard to see your child hurting. I saw him running towards me with this look of defeat, hurt and sadness, yet determined to finish the race.

I just wanted to scoop him up and make it all okay. I gave him the biggest hug and high five and told him I’m extra proud of him. He was just sad. Upset that he came last.

I tried to explain to him that he made it to the A group. That he ran against the school’s fastest runners. That even though he came last in the A group, he still did well because he was included in that race. That he is still faster than the guys in the B group.

His friend who runs pretty much as fast as he does, ran in the B race. He won. Quintus could have won or come second in that race easily. It would have been such a great boost for his self-esteem. It is difficult to convince your 7 year old that it’s okay to loose when his friend won. I don’t think at their age they really realize the difference between the two races. Just that he lost and his friend won.

It is a life lesson this. Learning to cope with defeat. To lose with dignity. I think he handled it pretty well. Once him and I chatted and we walked off the track, he was in better spirits. He even did better in the next race which thankfully ended the night on a higher note.

Still not easy to see your child hurting.

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