lessons learned............thus far

Do I worry, of course I worry. I don't know is how I've made it this far without completely losing control. Wait, yes I do. I didn't think about what could happen, I just watched and enjoyed the experience. I just reacted when I needed to, like all mom's do. When a situation arises and you have to put the Super Mom cape on.
You know, the cape that disguises all things gross, nasty and scary into smaller manageable problems? This special cape transforms you into a person you never dreamed in a million years you would be.

The situation of the first race helped me with my fears about the whole ordeal. Because Sean was battling a kidney stone and recovering from foot surgery it helped....a lot! For starters, I was the one pushing the bike to the track, it was me who had to give that always so important pep talk. which I was later told by Sean it was "The worst pep talk known to man". Of course I thought is was pretty good, "Remember buddy, be careful and have fun". What's wrong with that? A little encouragement and caution rolled up in a nice little package, for a frantic Mom it's all I could come up with. I guess I could've gone with, "Let's just go out for ice cream, don't you think that will be more fun?". Something tells me if I had chosen those words I would've been shot down faster then Beemer on the Audibon

I learned that all rules are meant to be broken especially when it's Mom whose breaking them. Once at the starting gate, the seconds countdown and the gate drops. When he fell off or stalled the bike, I ran across the track to make sure he was fine, which you are instructed NOT to do. (really? did they think I was going to follow that rule?) When I got to him all I saw were big frustrated hazel eyes, the "eye of the tiger" look, full of determination to catch up with the other riders. He wanted back on that track to finish his race. I put the bike in second gear and he took right off.

I have learned that lessons I teach to my children are not ignored. His concern for others extend on the race track. If he falls over or off his bike while racing, as the other riders pass him he gives them a thumbs up. What does this thumbs up mean? It actually means a couple of things 1. He's ok or 2. He is encouraging the other for a great job staying on their bikes. Either way, I'm proud because even though it's a race, a compitition to be the best. He is just having fun and enjoying himself. I never want the innocence of the world to rub off on him. I know I can't stop that from happening but I can instill the qualities in him to allow the harshness of the world to slide off his back and not take it so seriously. He has met some great friends, kids from 6 to teenager. The second race we went to a teenager came up to Liam and gave him a pep talk. Travis told him how he watched his last race and that Liam was doing fantastic, every race getting better and better. The fifth race, Sean and I had to explain to Liam why Travis didn't stop and talk to him very much. Travis is a teenager and the red head holding his hand at the track wanted his attention. In Travis' defense, he did say "Hi" to Liam and "good luck today". Liam has meant other kids (closer to his age), that throughout each race weekend he walks the track with them, they "hang out" and talk dirtbikes. Gunnar and Tyler are among the two closest. Tyler is 7 and likes to hang out with Liam, they go back and forth. Gunnar is 10 and one of the most polite boys I have ever met. He is there when we pull into the pits and offers to help unload the bikes. Liam thinks he is super cool and they have a common interest....Travis Pastrana #199.

As a Woman, Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister and Aunt I never dreamed my life would be this full. I won't lie to you, when I reminice with friends from grammar school. We discuss what we wanted to be when we grew up. The first female astronault, President of the United States, some wanted children. Let's face it, at 7 years old babies just show up and sleep 'til they go to school and meet great friends. As we matriculated to junior high school and then High School, our dreams may have changed and some stayed the same. A group of girls with similar backgrounds. Life may not have turned out the way we planned in first grade but with no regrets and fantastic friends to keep each other sane not to mention the wine. We have full and happy lives. I thank these girls along with my family for supporting and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. I wouldn't be the Moto Mom I am today without you.

When you're faced with a "What's a Mom to do?" situation. Just go with it! If they love it you really don't have a choice but to make it happen for them. Right?!