My kingdom for a trophy

After Liam's first race I surprised myself. I agreed to him racing MX with mixed emotion, but I knew in my heart he would be fine racing. When he went out on the track for the first time, it helped that he was the slowest rider, his own version of the "little engine that could". I was surprised at my acceptance to the idea. Of course this ephiphany came at the end of the first race.

When we were leaving the track I watched as a father took a picture of his son with the largest trophy I'd ever seen. I turned and looked behind me at Liam sitting, smiling from ear to ear. As he looked out the window at all the riders we passed by. He said "Did you see me go like this (hand gesture of a turning maneuver) then I did that jump", "that big hill was kinds a scary, but the guy in yellow helped me so I didnt fall...". As Liam's recap of the day continued I turned to Sean and whispered "I want that", he asked "want what?" "I want a trophy picture". Knowing good and well that my hopes were high. Since I'm not the one on the dirtbike I really couldn't expect such a tall order.

With eight races in a series, many early morning wake ups and equally as many mid-afternoon melt downs. Liam was well supported by our family at each race. Not only did my parents and nephews come, but Sean's Mom, sister and a few of her friends came to see a few races also. Until the fifth race, Liam hadn't trophied at all. After the second moto of the day the announcer instructed all riders who hadn't won a trophy thus far to go to the trophy trailer. Liam went with Pepere and came back over joyed, he was jumping up and down. He and Jeremy both recieved a participation trophy.

The next race, Jeremy was unable to ride. Football had started for him and he made a commitment and honored it. We are very proud of him !

With each race Liam had consistantly improved and we were very proud of him. The sixth race came and Liam was cheered on by not just Sean, Sydney and I but Grandpa Tom, Uncle Brendan, Aunt Andrea and the "Goose". Noni and Auntie Sam were there to cheer Jeremy on at football in our absence.

The track conditions were great, not too wet and not too dry. Liam did really well in the first moto, he was smart about every move. Even though he has a tough time passing, many of the other kids took advantage of the track conditions and let the bike ride them. Ultimately causing them to crash or fall (nothing serious). Liam was able to get around the one child we have told him he could beat all season thusfar. Liam took fourth in the first Moto, all he had to do was fifth or better in the second moto and he would receive a trophy for this race.

Liam did it! He took a fourth place finish for the race and a fifth place position in the overall series. We are so proud of him and Sean had to deliver on a promise he made Liam at the beginning of the race season. Allow him to pour an ice cold Gatorade all over him-every drop.

This Moto Mom got her trophy picture and I know my son can do anything he puts his mind to. I will forever have butterflies in my stomach and hold my breathe until the race is over. I know these feelings will never end, whether he is racing MX, walking to school by himself for the first time or leaving the driveway after getting his drivers license. But, it's what Mom's do, we protect our cubs. If we never let them try, they will never fail and if they never fail, they will never learn to succeed.