We signed up for a taekwondo tournament not having any idea what that would entail. All we knew is that Sam's favorite person, Master Yu, asked him to be a member of his team. As it turned out, Sam would have to do his orange belt form and break 2 boards in front of hundreds of people. As soon as my newly minted 6 year old found out what was expected of him, he did what any newly minted 6 year old would do, he completely melted down. He sobbed and begged to go home. If I know one thing about my sweet Sam, it's that when he has decided he is not going to do something, he is absolutely NOT going to do it. I could say nothing to convince him so I told him that we could leave as soon as he went and told Master Yu...by himself. He begged me to do it but I told him that it was his responsibility alone.
I don't know what Master Yu said or did but I didn't see my boy for the next couple of hours. He sat down on the floor with his team and decided that he would stay and compete. He got up...alone...in front of two hundred people and did what he needed to do. He was nervous and needed a little help but he did it. He earned 18 points for his Earth team and a trophy and medal for himself. 
It was all I could do to keep from bursting into tears of pride and love. He fought his fear and didn't let it get the best of him. I can't say that I would have been able to do that at 6 years old, or 16 for that matter.
I promised him that if he cheered on his team and completed his competition, we would get celebratory ice cream. Boy, did that twist cone with sprinkles taste good...especially with the medal around his neck.
3 comments:
That is SO motivational!!! Even if it's a newly 6-year-old boy... actually, being that it IS only a 6-year-old boy, makes it SO inspiring!! AWE, I love him so much! and miss his stubborn, yet extremely WISE young wit!
oooh that's awesome!! go SAM!!
So cool Sammy!!! WTG! I bet you are still beaming :)
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