The advantage

My little 10-year-old daughter, Sarah, was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time.

She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in “field day” – that’s where they have lots of races and other competitive events.

Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down – but before I could say anything, she said, “Daddy, I won two of the races!”

I couldn’t believe it! And then Sarah said, “I had an advantage.”

I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start…some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, “Daddy, I didn’t get a head start…my advantage was that I had to try harder!”