Image from blog.beliefnet.com
I arrived at the local stadium in blazing June sunshine. The afternoon of athletics was over; it was time to collect my son.
It’s an alien world to me, the concrete track, the dust, the stand packed with spectators. I am not sporty.
For me, it had been a work day; I had fidgeted restlessly in front of a computer screen whilst my son ran for his school.
Now, at going home time, I spotted him, passing the time by having play races with his friends. He stopped when he saw me and went to pick up his bag.
“So how did it go?” I asked, noting the paper number no Shrewsday has ever sported before.
Felix shrugged matter-of-factly.
“I won the cricket ball throwing” he volunteered.
I squeaked. “What, you WON? I shouted happily.”Out of all the schools in town?”
Felix stared pointedly at the pavement. “Mum!” he upbraided me. “it’s not that big a deal..”
I carried on squeaking. My son, the athlete.
Then I remembered. Felix has proved himself rather good at long distance running. In fact, at his school he has even beating teachers. “How did the 600 meters go? I asked.
“I came third.”
Third! More maternal squeakery. And then I realised Felix was still speaking.
“Early on in the race,” he was saying, “one of the other runners fell down. And everyone was running on so I stopped to help him.
“When he was ok, I ran on; but I could only get to third place by the finish line.”
Suddenly, squeaks were not enough. Have you ever been in awe of someone very young? Felix had done much more than win a race. He had shown humanity. And would I have done the same in his place?
I’m not sure.
Kate Shrewsday 
Bravo to him.
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A star.
Yup, sometimes third is quite enough, isn’t it, Fiona?
That is really something to be proud of Kate – what a tremendous young man he is turning into already. Must feel extraordinary to be a mother at moments like that – really awesome! đŸ™‚
I think most humans have moments like this, Wanderlust and mothers stand by and marvel at them. Maybe that’s one of the things mothers are for.
You must be SO proud!
I am. It’s lovely when our children have these moments which show what they will be like when they grow up.
What a boy. He has the makings of a Corinthian sportsman. Tell him not to give up the day job;)
I shall, Roger, I shall đŸ™‚
You’ve done well Kate! Love those little moments when the pride of motherhood hits the Richter scale
They’re sent to tell us to keep on keeping on, aren’t they, Tammy?
Oh, Felix! I hope you’re both quite proud of yourselves. My heart just squished up a bit in the reading.
It’s taken me days to unsquish mine, Cameron …
He may have come in “third” in the race . . . but he deserves the Blue Ribbon! That’s a wonderful lad you’ve got there.
Thanks, Nancy!
Well done, Felix. Well done.
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Oh, what a guy, have to admit i would have run straight over the prone body of my comrade in races. I am not sporty either so actually I probably would have tripped over him!! Your son IS a winner! c
đŸ˜€ Thanks, Celi, what a lovely comment.
Yay Felix! You must be so proud of him. I don’t know if I would have done the same in his place either, frankly. Sad that kids are better than us, Kate.
Hope for generations to come, though, Weebles. We can be as cantankerous as we like in our old age and with any luck, they’ll manage to hold their patience with us.
Oh my, I’m getting teary eyed just thinking about it. And he’s not even related to me! Bravo, Felix!! Kate, you must be bursting with pride!
Yup. He’s a great bloke, PT, but then I would say that, wouldn’t I?
Yay! Chivalry isn’t dead. It’s alive and well and residing in Felix. How inspiring!
It is, isn’t it, Lori? He gets all embarrassed every time I talk about it so I’m making do with online bragging đŸ˜€
He’s a darling
đŸ™‚ Thanks, Elizabeth…
This I love… he is one of the prize ones who will change the world…
Lets hope so!
That is excellent.
Humbling, having an excellent son, Steve. I would probably have scrabbled for the finish line…
Kate, this brought a tear to my eye. What this world news more of–kindness! What an uncommon gesture. But I already knew he was special. ox
đŸ™‚ Thanks, Debra…
Good lad
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Third in race, maybe – but first by far in sportsmanship!
If only they gave prizes for that, Col.
We need more Felixes in the world – what a great kid.
Thanks Katie!
For the person who “placed first” in the race, their victory is now over, whereas the kindness your son extended is a prize that will continue to bear fruit in the life of the person he helped, his own life and all of the lives with whom you have shared this moment Kate. Well done Felix!
Wise words and true, as usual, Hope. I shall pass that on to him, thank you.