A lesson in losing

My son, Blake, competed in the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby today.  I was a little worried when the day began --he started crying when we were told that we had to hot glue his skeleton man to the car.  While Papa glued the skeleton and the weights to the car, I took the crying boy outside.  I explained to him that the skeleton had to be glued on because it could fall off while racing and mess up someone's else's car and that's not fair.  Those are the rules...you can't change them...please stop crying. 

The race was very professional and organized--very impressive.  His den race began and in the first heat, his buddy Nic won.  Next heat is Blake's car and we were very excited--anticipating a win--his car came in dead last.  Heat after heat, Blake's car always last yet Blake cheered the loudest for his den and his friends. 

A couple of hours later it's time for the awards and once again I was very hopeful that he would win a ribbon for most creative.  His car looked VERY cool and I would post a picture but Papa has it.  He did not win a ribbon.  I watched him sitting, watching his friends with their cool trophies and ribbons and my heart broke.  I must say that it bugs me that the Y does not keep score but I kind of wished that every little boy would have recieved a cool car trophy.  He did not cry and he did not whine.  He simply said, "I wish I won a trophy."  Papa said, "I checked out the winning cars very closely, next year we will do better".  As we were leaving, I heard a little boy say, "I hate Boy Scouts, I didn't win a trophy."  Before I had my son I probably would have grimaced at his Mother.  Now that I am a mother, I knew that you never really know how your child will react when faced with losing. 

Tonight before bed, I kissed him on top of his head and I told him, "I am very proud of you.  You did not cry when you did not win today and you cheered for your friends.  Good job."  I didn't tell him that I wanted to cry for these are lessons you have to learn in life no matter how much it hurts me.