Monday, April 27, 2009

Who ARE These People?

Yesterday, Avery and I participated in a one-mile fun run. (It was fun, though not quite as fun as this.)

She was a champ and ran (not jogged) almost the entire one-mile course. (What she did not run, she walked, and what she did not walk, she sat on the curb and played with sticks and bugs...we opted for the scenic route.)

The end of the race was the real puzzler. Just as we reached the finish line, Avery said to me, "I don't want all of these people clapping for me" and walked around the inflatable arch that marked the finish line instead of through it. At that moment, I wondered if perhaps I had taken the wrong child home from the hospital. Have I taught her nothing? Isn't the purpose of doing anything the glory? Whether in the form of applause, a medal, a mention in the paper...isn't some sort of tangible validation for your effort the reason for participating? Didn't the satisfaction of accomplishment or knowing that it was a job well done go the way of personal responsibility and the pet rock?

This morning, as Canetto was getting ready for work, he casually mentioned to me that he needed to get to work early as there was an awards ceremony and that he was receiving an award. He must have known about this for weeks, but just told me in passing as he was headed out the door.

...I guess I took the right child home from the hospital.

6 comments:

dilettante07 said...

Time to start being a better stage parent. How the hell are you supposed to live vicariously through her if she won't live the life you want? Sheesh.

Of course, this way you get to keep all the glory for yourself.

Dilettard07 said...

I sure hope that you went through the inflatable arch and raised your hands over your head in glory!

dilettante07 said...

If not, we could re-enact it. I would hate for you to miss out.

Brutalism said...

Duh. Of course. I also did the slow-mo run through the arch so that the moments of glory would last longer. This is not my first time at the rodeo.

dilettante07 said...

Was the Chariots of Fire theme playing on your discman?

Brutalism said...

Tante -- were you there? (That armband to hold my discman is giving me quite a bicep...)