Crowning Moments! Last the Best of All the Game

For my Crowning Moments! post today, I had all sorts of choices to choose from. Should I write about how serious my 12-year-old took his stock show competition? He worked on his lamb and went out into that arena and shone! My 10-year-old worked so hard to get her lamb just right. And, my 9-year-old smiled throughout the whole Fitting and Showmanship competition and definitely won in my book!

Should I write about how my 7-year-old played goalie for soccer and stopped two major plays by the other team to help his team come away victors?

Should I write about my 4-year-old participating in the mini class for the 4-H lamb competition, and despite the fact that the lamb was leading her, she came out of the arena knowing that she won because they handed out trophies to everyone?

Should I write about my 1-year-old who has learned to put on her own coat, get off her own pajamas, and throw away her own garbage, all by herself?

Although I consider all of these worthy and “crowning,” I chose to write about two kids that I saw at the Hershey track meet that were in the 800-meter-race. There were two children who came in very last in their races and they were struggling! My heart went out to the little boy who, as he was almost finished, fell to his knees, got his breath back, slowly stood, and stumbled to the finish line. The fifth grade students in the bleachers all got to their feet and cheered, encouraging him on, supporting him the only way they could, and showing a compassion that fifth-graders normally try to hide.

The girl’s situation was different, only in that she didn’t go to her knees. She was pushing herself as hard as she could, and although she came in at least a lap behind everyone else, she was the one that got the standing ovation, the one that everyone stood and cheered for.

These two situations brought on a flood of emotions and tears to witness. Not only was it touching that those two kids would push themselves and struggle so hard to finish, but the response of the other kids was almost too much.

As a mother, the pride of your child showing so much compassion and love to a stranger-in-need is a “crowning moment” worth a hundred trophies, a hundred first-places, a hundred wins.

Being able to see other’s needs and reach out a hand of service will allow them to overlook their own possible heartbreaks or misfortunes in life, and support someone else in theirs. These opportunities will help them see the blessings in their own lives and be grateful for what they have. That gratitude makes for a happy life, no matter how much money you may have, what size of house you may own, or what kind of car you may drive.