Vindication. A Year After.

I wanted Gabi to run in the relay race in this year's Raya Olympics. I know he's not the fastest runner but I wanted him to overcome whatever shame or regret he may still harbor for last year's fall and loss. (Click here to view the 1 March 2011 post)

Of course I didn't tell him why I wanted him to join the race again. I was so sure he also wanted vindication.

And so he joined the race. And although he lost the lead to his competitor in red in his leg of the race, at least he didn't fall this time and gave his team a fair chance at winning.

After the race I congratulated him and whispered. "Now you can forget what happened in last year's race, right?"

"Why Papa?" he gave me a puzzled look. "What happened in last year's race?"

"Oh... nothing, son. Last year, you, ah, finished fourth. Now you finished second!"

"Yup," Gabi exclaimed. "We'll win next year!"

Yes, my son, you will. And your father will soon learn to forget what you don't even remember.