![2567_Trophy_Statue[1]](https://thelatchkeymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2567_Trophy_Statue1.jpg)
Winning an award for something is pretty cool, especially when you’ve put in lots of hard work. Personally, I’ve always fantasized about winning an Oscar or a Golden Globe and have rehearsed my acceptance speech more times than I should publically admit. Never mind that that I’ve not spent any time acting. The reality is that I’ve won very few awards in my life. Compared to my children, I’m an underachiever. They get awards all the time, because that’s what we do now. Every year, for both pre-school and elementary school, I attend end-of-year class parties where each student is given an award for something. I guarantee you, none of my children remembers any of those awards. And the metals and trophies that are handed out at the end of each season, regardless of performance, well they’re pretty forgettable, too. Am I proud of my kids? Of course! But if you take the suspense out of it, where’s fun?
Now recently, a few of my progeny have stepped it up and garnered some hard earned recognition – and those events made me giddy. Perhaps a little too much, because in those moments I felt like I’d won, probably because I’ve been a loser more times than a winner.
Back in the old days, when I was a student who participated in field days, we actually competed for ribbons. They only handed out three for each event. Blue for 1st, yellow for 2nd, and red for 3rd. I earned one red ribbon and really, it was a gimme, as it was for the tug of war! I was pipsqueak and I assure you, I contributed little to our win.
Anyway, I fared better in middle school, where I won two awards. In seventh grade I was invited to Honor’s Night and believe me, I was shocked. I was an AB student up to that point, which was respectable, but my A’s were hard fought. I was by no means extraordinary. My mom asked me what I thought I was being honored for and I suspected that it could have been for social studies – my best class. To my mother’s utter astonishment (mom was a bit of a snob, with an Ivy League degree), I won the award for the most outstanding seventh grade female student in Industrial Arts (a.k.a. Shop Class). Yep! That was me. The first half of the class was drafting, and the second was spent in an actual “shop.” I worked with wood, metal and Plexiglas. I won the same award again in 8th grade, I swear to God. I may have missed my calling – I should have been an architect, or a welder.
I studied hard and did better in high school. I was accepted at all four colleges that I applied to, which I guess were rewards. At the end of the year, I was awarded numerous scholarships. People quite literally turned their heads and took notice. Oh, where has she been hiding the last four years? What those folks didn’t know was that all my scholarships were awarded based on need, not academics. So when my name was called, I didn’t experience the joy and exhilaration of a winner, but rather anxiety from realizing just how bad things were for my parents.
After that, there were no awards in college and I was never voted employee of the month, anywhere. This is a point of contention for me, because I was always a good employee – except when I worked for my dad. But that’s a whole other story…
At my ten year high school reunion, I was voted the student who was the “Most Changed.” I had to walk through a crowded ballroom to accept my “award.” It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. This change was not based on anything I’d accomplished – no, it was all based on my appearance. Very few people recognized me at my reunion, and at times it was awkward. I attended the reunion with my best friend from high school, and over and over again she was greeted enthusiastically by our classmates. I’d stand beside her and say hello, but very few people engaged me in conversation. One woman actually asked my friend, “Whatever happened to that girl you used to always hang around with?”
“You mean, Allison McGrath?”
“Yes. That’s the one.”
“Ah, that’s Allison.” Cue Marcie pointing to me.
Over and over again this happened. At first I was flattered, because I accepted the shocked reactions as compliments. Damn, I must look good. But seriously, the only difference was that I’d died my hair. I didn’t look that different, although I certainly felt different. I had a metamorphosis in my mid-twenties, when I moved all by myself to Puerto Rico for a job. It was a pretty gutsy move, and instilled a world of confidence in me that I’d never before possessed. I also learned to like myself for who I was when I was in PR, and it changed everything for me. My hair was just a byproduct of the change, it wasn’t what changed me.
I couldn’t find my Senior year picture! But this is a picture of me with my friend Kelly, in the spring of our senior year.
This is a bad copy of the photo taken of me at my ten year reunion. Somewhere I have the real deal, in Technicolor, this is a scan of the reunion flyer.
Ramble on…what I’m trying to say is that even though I’ve won a few token awards over the years, represented by slips of paper and satin ribbons, none has made a difference in my life. So I try not to take it too seriously when it comes to my own children, whether it be for winning or not receiving an award. If I ever win a Pulitzer, or that fantasy Golden Globe, I reserve the right to change my opinion.
Yesterday however, I received the best award ever. I had the privilege of watching my twin boys run in a race together. Due to Barrett’s autism, the odds of this happening weren’t favorable. Watching his first track meet last week was a thrill. Since then, a series of events led to his brother, Hunter, being able to run with him as a wingman in yesterday’s meet. I was so proud of both my boys! Barrett shaved 15 seconds off of last weeks’ time, running half a mile in 4:07. I teased Hunter after the run, because for a while it looked like Barrett was outrunning Hunter (who also runs track, but at a different school). Hunter set me straight by informing me that he could not pass Barrett, or his time would have been disqualified. Hunter is very competitive, even with his twin – despite the autism! He had to sacrifice some pride by slowing down for his brother, but he did. And the result was rewards all around!
So tell me, have you ever won an award? What for?
This post was inspired by the Finish The Sentence Friday prompt, “I once won an award for_____.” I’m cohosting this week, along with my friends Kristi and Allison. Please share the love by visiting heir blogs (links below).
And Happy, Happy Easter! And Happy Passover!
Kristi of Finding Ninee
Allison of Go Danker Mom
Aw, the ending totally melted my heart and love how your boys got to run the race together for the biggest reward indeed that a mother could ask for 😉
Thanks Janine. It was really cool! I hope you have a Happy Easter!
Now, that’s a worthy award! Congrats to all (including you)! The whole reunion story is so odd! I would have felt strange about it too.
It was weird, but I was really shy in high school – a wall flower. Since then I’ve run into classmates randomly, in Atlanta (I went to high school in Florida!), and no one ever remembers me. But I guess it’s also a good thing that I didn’t peak in high school.
I love how you did this – so so good. Here’s to Bear with his track meet and here’s to YOU for your awesomeness. I see your photos of high school and assume you were one of the coolest ever Soo pretty 🙂
Oh Kristi, I was so not cool! Ask anyone – oh wait, you can’t, they never remember me:). That picture above, with Kelli – she was the real deal. The coolest (think Elle McPherson), and somehow we became friends.
Oh yes and yes! Awards don’t mean much, and they never last. And yes, they give out far too many these days. But as mothers, we do get the best awards, don’t we. I love that story…
Thanks Allison. I’m glad you agree. And honestly, I was afraid to have that in the essay – because you know all the awards that are featured by parents on FB:). And I’m certain I’ve been guilty of it at some point.
Loved this Allie! So clever how you took us through your own journey of awards and then brought us to your twins. I’m a secret dreamer of an Oscar too. Maybe we scan practice our acceptance speeches together some day. 😉 xo
That would great. I know it’s probably too late for acting awards…but perhaps we have a chance at Best Screenplay?
Wow. My heart melted. First with you being overlooked at the reunion. Really what was that about? And then at the photo of H and B running. Yet again I am hit with the fact that you are such a good mom. Your heart must have spilled over witnessing the latter!
Who needs an Oscar when you’ve got that? Well done.
I agree. Oscar Smoshcar! As for the reunion, I am long over it. As I commented above, I’m glad I didn’t peak in high school! And honestly, I was really shy, so I assume that’s what led to my be easily forgotten.
I agree that your boys running track together was the best award ever. As for your high school reunion, you reminded me of the fact that I actually got the OPPOSITE award as you – Person Who Looks Exactly The Same Since High School. I’m not sure if I was flattered or not. 🙂 My brother had a similar experience as you at his reunion. No one recognized him because of his hair either — in his case, he had lost most of it though. 🙂
Now, with my 30 year (GULP) approaching ion the next couple years, I’d love to win the award for looking the same.
That was such a cool pic of Hunter and Bear! And if you can believe this…I once won an award for ‘best poem’ under 10 lines. I was in the 5th grade and my prize?? $5.00!! Yeah..that’s what I’m talking about. It was so good seeing everyone last weekend. Have a Happy Easter Allie.
Uncle Mark
Uncle Mark, a poet? Nope, I don’t believe it!
So that job in PR and that other job in PR (see what I did there!) must have had a really big impact on you, because I don’t think you are unforgettable now! So proud of your boys — both of them. Bear for trying so hard, and Hunter for being a True Brother! That really is a big award for you, and all of the time and energy and love that you’ve been giving to your family. Congrats!!!!!
Thanks Anna – for you’re whole comment. The whole “PR” experience was pretty life- changing! One of these days, I should write about it.
oh Allie!!! This post has SO much in it… and what a BANG to end with! You must be such a proud mama!
As for your ‘awards’, I literally LOLed at the shop award both years!! YOU GO GIRL!!! Perhaps that was a calling you missed indeed! And you got into all those colleges by your grades too… but my heart hurt to read your realization of the greater need of your parents for the scholarship. Sigh…
High school reunion… wow. I just cringe about that award. I’m not sure that can be taken a right way, ya know? I’m sure it was about how pretty you have become over the years, but what does that imply? Ugh. How horrible that you weren’t recognized for the beautiful PERSON that you are, and people didn’t SEE you for that.
Yeah, all those trophies for ‘participation’ are not really earned and have no real significance in my kids’ lives as well.
You’re the only reader to comment of the Shop Awards. Isn’t it funny? It actually males me sad that those classes are no longer offered. At least they’re not in our district. The drafting was so much fun.
Most changed! A strange award. I think I would have loved it back then because it would mean people recognized me. However, when people now say I look the same as I did 20 years ago, I don’t complain!
I got a blue ribbon in my first horse show but I was in such denial about it that I didn’t listen when they announced the winners. Then the woman came over to me to ask me if I knew who won first place and I said I didn’t. Meanwhile my family was screaming in the stands, “You! You won! Take your trophy and ribbon!”
I did love it – a little. What I didn’t love was all the people coming up afterward for a closer look and to stare at my name badge (which had my high school senior photo).
I loved this ending and reading about the race on Facebook. What a special moment for everyone in the family!
Thanks Nina. It was pretty awesome. I don’t know if you saw – but the week before was Barrett’s first meet and the crowd went nuts. Oh, it was amazing (and a cry fest).
That is so awesome that your boys were able to run together! So cool. Almost as cool as your feathered hair in high school. And industrial arts…I think my mom still has the metal lantern I attempted to solder together in middle school.
Why do they even give awards at reunions? Seems like just an opportunity to put people on the spot.
I’m not sure. There were awards like, “Person who traveled the farthest” and “person with the most kids.” Weird.