A "State"ment!!!

Yesterday marked the fourth and final year that Dee has worked hard and made it to the state finals in track and field (Friday was the preliminaries and Sat. the finals).  For the last three years he has only made it in team events, but this was the first year he made it in an open event (the 400m).  Now, it was a fluke all the prior years that he didn't make it because he is a dynamic runner, so making it this year was truly a gift for him.  He had his usual cheerleaders there cheering him on (mom, dad, (1)sis and (1)grandparent).  Other family members wanted to come, but were unfortunately not able to make it.  They did however send their prayer and well wishes.  He and his teammates ran a great 4x200m relay taking home a medal for third place.  Roughly, about 40 minutes later (which I thought was too close), it was time for him to run his open event.  The runners lined up, the gun went off the race began.  It was a great race and after the dust settled, Dee brought home a 5th place medal.  He was heart broken, because he has worked so hard to get to state and the guy who got first is really not better than Dee.  Yesterday was just his day.  Anyway, his mom and I had to reassure him that he is and always will be a winner in our book and to no look at it as 5th in that meet, but 5th in the entire state of Missouri and that is a great accomplishment.  We also reminded him of all the athletes that have run track all four years and never made it as far as has.  Dee will be running summer track this and the same guy who got him at state will be running as well.  I told him to take that loss at state and use it as the fuel to beat the sleeves off him during the summer.  My son will be victorious because he is and has what it take to be a winner!!!