It's Part of the Game
When it's not all about winning21 total reviews
Comment from Gert sherwood
Begin Again
Your post about When it's not all about winning
It's Part of the Game
Smiles to you---
The EMTs lifted Darryl onto a stretcher. Johnny walked by his side; the race was forgotten. Standing in the bleachers, the crowd clapped and cheered.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
  |
Begin Again
Your post about When it's not all about winning
It's Part of the Game
Smiles to you---
The EMTs lifted Darryl onto a stretcher. Johnny walked by his side; the race was forgotten. Standing in the bleachers, the crowd clapped and cheered.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
Thanks Gert - It's been forty years but it feels like yesterday. I could not have been prouder of my son that day. Ribbons are good, but friendships are better. Thanks - Carol
-
you are so welcome
Begin Again
Gert
-
You are welcome Begin Again
Gert
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Aww, that was lovely, Carol. Both boys won, their friendship won first prize! Well done, my friend, this is another short story that can go in your book. How many is that now? :)) Loved it. Sandra xxxx
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
Aww, that was lovely, Carol. Both boys won, their friendship won first prize! Well done, my friend, this is another short story that can go in your book. How many is that now? :)) Loved it. Sandra xxxx
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
This one is true and about my son, Johnny. I was the proudest mother that day. Ribbons come and go but understanding friends in need is totally something else. Thanks - Smiles to you Carol
Comment from Judy Lawless
Carol, this is a lovely story with an awesome message. Johnny proved what kind of person is was - caring more about his friend than his own vanity, and he was respected for that by the cheering crowd and most important, his mother. Well done!
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
Carol, this is a lovely story with an awesome message. Johnny proved what kind of person is was - caring more about his friend than his own vanity, and he was respected for that by the cheering crowd and most important, his mother. Well done!
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
It was forty years ago but I still remember how proud I was of him. He still carries that trait of wanting to help - sometimes he can't but he certainly tries. Thanks for the kind review, Judy. I appreciate it very much. Smiles - Carol
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I believe there exists a special bond between those like Johnny. Sure they know about winning, but they know more about friendship and helping others as if by an unknown instinct. You portrayed that well in your story, Carol. I enjoyed reading it. The action is evident, the details are there, and the kindness is a great message to never underestimate the power of one's soul no matter what is on the outside.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
I believe there exists a special bond between those like Johnny. Sure they know about winning, but they know more about friendship and helping others as if by an unknown instinct. You portrayed that well in your story, Carol. I enjoyed reading it. The action is evident, the details are there, and the kindness is a great message to never underestimate the power of one's soul no matter what is on the outside.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
It was forty years ago but I remember to this day how proud I was of my son. He still is the same way - always willing to help if he can. If I cough, he comes running with a glass of water and asking are you okay? Thanks again - Smiles Carol
Comment from robyn corum
Carol,
There's a really cool advertisement on TV here where this happens, but the whole group of runners go back and help the fallen child. It brings a tear almost every time. This was well-written. Thanks!
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
Carol,
There's a really cool advertisement on TV here where this happens, but the whole group of runners go back and help the fallen child. It brings a tear almost every time. This was well-written. Thanks!
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
thanks - It was forty years ago but I was so proud of him. He worried about Darryl instead of the ribbon or the race. Smiles - Carol
Comment from lancellot
Hmm, maybe it was about both, because at some point, the point of straining and falling, it clearly was about winning the competitions, and there is nothing wrong with that. The spirit of competition, winning, coming in first is why we have most of the wonderful achievements we take for granted. Stopping for a friend is good too, both sides of our humanity are good, and important each in its own time.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
Hmm, maybe it was about both, because at some point, the point of straining and falling, it clearly was about winning the competitions, and there is nothing wrong with that. The spirit of competition, winning, coming in first is why we have most of the wonderful achievements we take for granted. Stopping for a friend is good too, both sides of our humanity are good, and important each in its own time.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
It was forty years ago but I can remember top this day how I felt when my son chose helping someone over winning. Actually, to be honest, for him at that very moment, it wasn't a choice. It was what he'd been taught to do - help others and his brain took over and he did it. Thanks - Carol
Comment from Anne Johnston
What a excellent story you have told. It is great that they have these special Olympics that allow challenged children to participate. Your last line sums it all up:
" It wasn't about winning; it was all about friendship and caring."
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
What a excellent story you have told. It is great that they have these special Olympics that allow challenged children to participate. Your last line sums it all up:
" It wasn't about winning; it was all about friendship and caring."
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
Thanks, Anne. It's been forty years, but I remember how my son enjoyed his friends and could do things just like all the other kids. They had a closer bond than most kids. Smiles, Carol
-
I have a grandson who is Autistic, and he has recently got involved in basketball.
-
Johnny absolutely loved basketball when he was young. He played very well unless I was watching. Then he stopped to wave at me....Ugh..no no no
-
Smiles to you, Anne
Comment from eliz100
This is a heartwarming story.I think we all could take some lessons from it. The picture adds to the story. I do not see any room for improvement. Enjoyed.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
This is a heartwarming story.I think we all could take some lessons from it. The picture adds to the story. I do not see any room for improvement. Enjoyed.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
Thanks again for stopping by to read my story about my son, Johnny. It was 40 years ago but for some reason, I felt the moral needed to be heard again. Smiles to you - Carol
Comment from Susan Newell
This is an excellent story that shows the real success is in caring for a friend. The race is a fun challenge, but it takes second place to the welfare of a friend. Special needs children are such a blessing in that so many of them are completely without guile and they understand love for the sake of love.
I have just a couple comments on the writing:
Do you need quotation marks around the first paragraph? Does the announcer "continue?"
their feet flew, leaving flying dirt behind them. -- Were they racing on a dirt track? I wold assume a paved track for a Special Olympics event.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
This is an excellent story that shows the real success is in caring for a friend. The race is a fun challenge, but it takes second place to the welfare of a friend. Special needs children are such a blessing in that so many of them are completely without guile and they understand love for the sake of love.
I have just a couple comments on the writing:
Do you need quotation marks around the first paragraph? Does the announcer "continue?"
their feet flew, leaving flying dirt behind them. -- Were they racing on a dirt track? I wold assume a paved track for a Special Olympics event.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
Good morning - thanks for the review and the help. I did fix the beginning... thank you! It was forty years ago at a small school track, and I thought I remembered it being dirt, but I could be wrong. Nowadays, everything has been improved, and I know most tracks are paved. Smiles to you as always, Carol
-
Aah. That explains it. I also imagine that local "qualifiers" might be run on a dirt road or track. I was just thinking of what I had seen on TV.
-
He did go downstate once, but this was locally .. we're just country people. LOL
-
Country is good!
Comment from Pantygynt
A most touching tale and and an object lesson in what friendship really means. Sounds like a hamstring injury and they are very painful indeed. There is no way you can continue when that happens.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
|
A most touching tale and and an object lesson in what friendship really means. Sounds like a hamstring injury and they are very painful indeed. There is no way you can continue when that happens.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2021
-
Yes, you are so right! But the boys taught us all a lesson - it's about friendship and not about winning the game. The ribbon was nice, but their friendship was better than anything. Thanks, Carol