Trophies

My boys are suddenly obsessed with trophies.  That’s all they want to talk about.  I have a couple of my old trophies stashed in a closet.  They found them and have been begging to look at them.  Finally, Caleb, 5 1/2 years old, asked me if he could have one to keep. 

I said, “No.”

He said, “Why not?”

I said, “Because you haven’t won anything.  Go win something and you’ll get a trophy.”

He said, “But you’re not letting me play anything!”

Somebody order that kid a trophy. He just won his first debate.

A few minutes later, Elijah (4 years old) and I were looking at my trophies.  He pointed at one and asked what place I came in to get it.

He was pointing at the Little Dribblers National Championship trophy I won when I was 10 years old.  I still have it because it’s a national championship trophy and I don’t think you should throw those things away and because I knew this day would come.  I’ve kept a second trophy that I’m far more proud of, but I’ll hold off bragging about that one until another day. 

I said, “I got that one for coming in 1st place.”

He said, “First place?!”

I said, “Yep.  I was a champion.”

He hugged me hard and said, “Good job daddy!”

It was as if I had won it all over again.

I’m glad I kept it.