For the Olympic Moments

Parent lectures are never fun to hear. And most parents wonder how much of the lecture actually got heard and how much was tuned out. Which leads the parent to lecture more to make sure something gets soaked in. For the most part, and depending on the personality of the child, I think it works.

When I was a teenager, my Dad, during dinner (and repeating an anti-drug commercial), shook his fork at me and said, "Don't do drugs." Thanks for the "talk", Dad, but I wasn't planning on it anyway, and unless you count beer and margaritas, I've succeeded. But, I did get the "lectures" on automobile safety: check your oil regularly, check your water levels, check the condition of your belts, keep proper air in your tires, for pete's sake, keep the car clean, and on and on. I remember those things very loudly in my head. And how long ago was it that I heard them? Let's not count.

So, when we lecture our kids on character and sportsmanship, it's not that we expect that perfect behavior right now. Oh, that'd be nice and for the most part we get it, but it's for those times we're not around. For those "Olympic" moments...where the worldwide cameras are on you and everyone can see what your character in the most upsetting moment of your life (to date) truly is.

Drivers Meeting in Waco. HES2 Drivers on the fenceline.

We drove to Waco, TX yesterday afternoon (2+hr drive from here) to race with some friends last night. Waco's kart track is smaller than ours and is nothing but corners - and very tough corners. It's a narrow track and there are not any good passing opportunities. I watched the struggles of the "big" racers and they have to make opportunities to pass - they don't come easily. So, in Hunter's 3 racing heats, the running order was decided by the draw of a number. He was last for 2 of the 3. And in those heats, that's where he ran, too. He just couldn't find the opening to get around without flat out running someone off the track and wrecking himself to boot. On the one heat where he started 2nd, he finished 1st. Yea. But when it counted, nope...no passing areas.

Grid for the TAG Cadet/Yamaha lineup. #88 in the back.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. We discovered his brakes weren't working very well when we rolled him up to the grid for the final. So, he ran a nothing-but-corners track with very bad brakes. He started off slower because of this, spun off a corner, got back on and ran down the pack and was running faster times and better corners than the rest of the pack, but he just couldn't pass. Oh, well, he did make one pass, but on this track, the gamble of making a pass means you also leave your self open for the pass-ee to pass you back, and that happened. So, when he came in...last...he was devastated. Bless his heart. But the poor attitude that flowed from this kid was nothing short of embarrassing. He was beyond mad about his brakes and almost hitting his competitors on the track because of it. Scott finally got him in the trailer, but not before the damage was done. Yes, it was lecture time. After the race and on our midnight trip home, it was lecture time. This morning, before church, a re-reminder of why we behave the way we should...for those "Olympic" moments.

Hadyn on the grid!

And I should not forget to mention our HES2 driver, Hadyn, who so impressed us with her driving last night. All trepidation was lifted as she drove full out, powering and muscling around corners, outrunning another rookie driver, and keeping lapping traffic at bay to increase her knowledge and ability behind a wheel. My Princess Warrior - 5 years old. Man, what will be in her future?

We don't expect perfection or the right attitudes from our kids at all times, but just like knowing that I need to check my oil is always in my head, I want to know that my kids will have in their heads, no matter what, have good character and show good sportsmanship!!



Who knows, if trampolining can be an olympic sport, then maybe karting will one day as well! Ha!