Today bought tears of joy to my eyes.

All of my children bought me tears of joy today, I was so proud of them all in their own little ways. My youngest daughter had her first athletics competition today as a beginner. She entered two races, not knowing anything about any of the other girls running. I watched anxiously, but she went forth, head held high, ready to go. Even chatting amongst the girls as she waited for her heats. For me at that age, in that situation, could have gone two ways, I’d have faked bravery and gone in like she did, or I would have seized and managed nothing but pure reticence. Watching her go in with real confidence, gives me such peace of mind for her journey into secondary school next week.

Her younger brothers and older sister joined the whole family in whooping and cheering as she ran. I don’t think the team comps are used to such raucousness, but it is something they soon will be. Hearing our cheers definitely gave her the extra boost she needed to place her 3rd in both races. Not once did the younger ones say, ‘but you didn’t get first!’ At such an age, and from such a competitive environment I wouldn’t have been surprised by some slight ribbing, but there was none.
Even her older sister told her how well she ran, a rare moment of pushing aside the teen fuelled disproval of her sibling.

They were all winners today in my eyes.

Even if they are currently arguing because the youngest blew off in his sisters seat before we sat down to watch a family movie 🙈