Nick's Big Weekend

I really don't think there's any anxiety that matches a mother's anxiety for her child as they grow up and step out on their own. It's that first time with a child care provider, first boo-boo, first day of school, first camp drop-off...BLACK BELT TESTING...anxiety.

We signed Nicholas up for karate lessons a week or so before his 5th birthday. We hoped he would get some exercise, make some friends and perhaps gain some coordination. From that moment on he has never ceased to amaze us with both his skill and his heart for the sport. He has always been the youngest in his belt class, yet he has not only kept up with the physically bigger kids but we have seen that these older kids truly value and respect Nick's friendship. That means more to me than if he can break boards or do a split (both of which he can also do)! Our Anctil's Martial Arts friends have become like family. Over the past nearly 4 years he has memorized countless "kicking combo," "pad work" and "forms" routines. He has memorized "home rules," "Dojang rules" and "outside awareness" rules. He knows what each colored belt symbolizes. In the last 5 months he has documented over 50 acts of kindness, completed 100 push-ups and crunches daily, earned three trophies at a tournament, participated in a day of empathy entailing a day in a wheelchair and written several essays. All that with one goal in mind: Black Belt Testing. They have a great sign in the Dojang that says, "A black belt is a white belt that never gave up."

I spent most of this week on the verge of vomiting. I just wanted him to feel secure and prepared. We were both very nervous for this HUGE milestone. Tuesday night we had a mutual melt-down. There we sat on the couch. Just the two of us. Bawling. The stress had overtaken us. But...we picked ourselves up, prayed about it together and agreed that we were going to make it through this! It's a really hard thing to realize that your child is you in another body. Nick and I are two peas in a pod. We freak out about the same things, in much the same way. I figure the two of us will probably have a few more of these moments in the future. Oh say, some big term paper, SAT's, graduation, college....

Friday night arrived. I'd dropped a fortune on Power Bars and Gatorade in anxious over-preparedness. His bag was packed and double checked. We arrived at the Dojang around 4:30 and at 5pm the families had to leave. Aaakk!! At 10pm I went back to retrieve him. He was exhausted, but enthusiastic.

Saturday was open to the public, so we got to be there with him. Testing went from 10am - 4pm. We were SO proud of him. In all the pictures you can clearly see that he is still the smallest in the class. He did amazing, though! He had confidence and his skills were sharp. He won't officially find out his results for a week or so. BUT....the Graduation Ceremony is Saturday, October 17th 10am - noon and all are invited!

Just as a little PS: Here is Nick, beaming after his very first belt test (white to orange) in June of 2006.