Laughing Inside

So, I have two months of blog posts to catch up on... Where is the time going? I'll get to those old posts soon. For now I just had to post a good brotherly love moment from this evening, before I forget. Tonight the boys had Tae Kwon Do, which they really love. Both being highly competitive, they are truly motivated by the belt/stripe level thing that is going on in martial arts. Tonight C had an opportunity to test for another stripe for his yellow belt. He really, really wants that stripe. Despite an invitation to go watch the "War of the Roses" (big time local football rivalry between the Beavers and the Ducks), both C and K chose to attend Tae Kwon Do in the hopes of an opportunity to test for a stripe.

Said testing moment arrives, and C feels he is ready. He goes through most of the test without a hitch, but I see him slowing down, and starting to think more. K picks up on this too and is ready. Oh, how I wish I had a picture to share. Imagine a huge training hall, there are four separate groups of kids working with their instructors. The yellow belt group has about eight boys in it, all around C and K's ages. The instructor is standing in some kind of ready position calling out moves. C is going through the paces in the middle of the group, flanked by his yellow belt peers who are all sitting criss-cross applesauce. Behind this is a large set of bleachers where the parents can spectate. I am now leaning forward from my perch in the bleachers, with all my will hoping for the best for C. K who sees C is struggling is now whispering instructions to his brother and becoming so involved in his instructions that he is likely unaware that his is moving his arms along with C. Now I know that many will frown on this blatant effort at cheating, but as a mom, I can't help but be moved by K's obvious desire for C to succeed.

Unfortunately, C did not earn his stripe this evening. But he gave quite an effort. In the car on the way home he was explaining to me how he felt. I was thinking he felt disappointed and had to refrain from putting words into his mouth. I think he is past the age of needing me to help label his emotions for him. So he is explaining embarrassment. And then he says the most touching thing, "I just felt in my stomach, when I knew I wasn't doing it that everyone except K would be laughing inside." I have always seen how close the boys are, but wow! K jumped in to help C (albeit slightly unethically) right when he suspected his help was needed, at the same time C was feeling that he could count on his brother not to "laugh" at him.

Needless to say, there was no laughing at all. Everyone is extremely respectful, the masters are quite demanding. C did feel embarrassed and disappointed. But he left motivated. After explaining his embarrassment, he remarked, "I am going to figure that PunseKebonTae.... out, I am going to be ready next time I test."