Karate Kid

The hardest thing I've ever done as a parent (aside from bringing the children into this world) is sit through my son's black belt qualification test--starting at 1:30 Saturday afternoon with a 3 mile run and ending at 6:00 p.m. with this:

The red stripe means Mr. T has completed the requirements
to move on to the next belt rank: 1st Degree Black Belt

Truly? I could not be prouder of Mr. T. He completed the same amount of push ups, dips and sit ups--and more sprints--than kids twice his age. He punched and kicked hard, dripped sweat, sobbed a little, and never lost his focus. He demonstrated his forms, his nunchucks, his self-defense and even when he got stuck, he didn't quit. He showed more emotional, physical and mental stamina than many adults and even when teenagers were puddles, crying because of Mr. O's torture, Mr. T turned those feelings into determination to succeed.

Mr. T--1st Degree Black Belt. In two weeks he'll be awarded his belt (stitched with his name) and be addressed as Mr. W at karate school. He has joined less than 1% of the population who have achieved this goal. I think he's more special, though, not because he's only 8, but because he's my kid.

Posted in: Mr. T, totally unadulterated bragging