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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: BLESSED (03/07/19)
Tiffany tied her sneakers with triple knots. She was sure if she tried her hardest, ran with all her might, she wouldn’t come in last place…like last year…and the year before that. Maybe she ran faster this year. She did grow a half an inch. Tiffany wished she were blessed with the long, athletic legs of her older sister, Carly. She could shock everyone and win. Ronnie, the boy who sat behind her in class, wouldn’t laugh at her and call her Tiffany Turtle anymore.

Mr. Short, the gym teacher in Lincoln Elementary, had warned the class Monday was the first day of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test. Tiffany’s heart raced and she wiped her sweaty hands on her pants. She’d rather take a math test or any kind of test other than gym. Every year she dreaded spring. As soon as the first robin sang, they would have to march outside, shivering in shorts and a t-shirt and practice pull-ups on the monkey bars for the President. The name alone sounded intimidating. Would the president read her score?

The night before the fitness test, Tiffany ate a lot of spaghetti like Carly did the night before every race. She did twenty push-ups, mostly keeping her back straight and butt down. She struggled through a hundred jumping jacks and thirty sit-ups but felt strong before going to sleep. All night, she dreamed a purple tiger was chasing her but never caught her. She thought it was a sign. She was ready.

Mr. Short pushed open the heavy metal gym doors, and the class filed out into the sunshine. The air smelled of honeysuckles and cut grass and tar from the new track. Seagulls squawked above her. Tiffany wished she could fly with them.

As the boys played tag and girls turned cartwheels, Mr. Short blew his mean whistle to gather the class and give instructions. They would race, lining up in two parallel lines and running against one classmate from the other line. As he clocked the times, Barbara, the assistant, would record all scores on her clipboard. Tiffany felt like she would throw up her spaghetti.

When it was her turn, Tiffany looked to her right. She was against Margie with her long, skinny legs that could stretch twice as far as Tiffany’s. “Oh, great,” she mumbled, hoping no one heard her.

They stood with toes behind the yellow line and waited for what seemed a long minute. In that long minute, Tiffany prayed for God to help her win. She could use an angel or two to help her soar across the finish line.

“Go!"

Tiffany pumped her arms and stretched her legs, faster and faster. She looked to the right and didn’t see Margaret who was a couple feet behind. Tiffany couldn’t believe it—she was going to win. The finish line was only five feet away when Tiffany’s legs tangled. They felt too fast for her body. In a whirlwind second, her body toppled forward, skinning her hands, knees and chin. She could hardly hold back the tears as she felt a hand help her up.

Ronnie looked at her hand in his. “Are you okay?”

Tiffany sniffled and shook her head yes, though she didn’t feel okay; she felt like bursting into tears. And if she was honest, she wanted to yell at God. Why couldn’t she win just one race? She was so close.

“You ran fast. You were going to win.”

Tiffany smiled.

Mr. Short inspected her cuts. “Ronnie, please escort this young athlete to the nurse’s office for some bandages.”

Tiffany wondered if her cheeks were as pink as Ronnie’s as they stood frozen.

Mr. Short waved his hand shooing them away.

Ronnie turned toward the door. “Okay. Come on, let’s go.”


Fifteen years later…

Lila burst into the kitchen and startled Tiffany. “Hey there, kiddo. What happened?”

Lila slid her backpack off onto the chair and sobbed into her palms. “I was racing Becky and I tripped. I must be the slowest kid in sixth grade.”

Tiffany wiped the gravel from Lila’s bloody knees and cleaned and bandaged the scrapes. “Have I ever told you about the race I had at your age?”

“Yes. Dad used to call you Tiffany the Turtle. And I’m a turtle too.”

“Well, the point is…I wanted to be blessed to win the race, but God had a better blessing waiting—”

Ron opened the door. “Hi, hon. Did I miss something?”

“No. Perfect timing.”
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This article has been read 174 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Leola Ogle 
03/14/19
Such a sweet story. A reminder that what we consider a disaster might be a blessing in disguise. Good writing. God bless.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
03/14/19
This is an awesome story. It would make an awesome story for a kids' magazine (ages 8 to 12) or a Sunday School take-home sheet. Of course it's great for adults too. I can relate as I wiped out on asphalt after begging the coach to let me run hurdles. Then 16 years later, my own daughter worked harder than any member on the swim team. We used to say she worked so hard to come in last place. It was true, but the cool thing is how the crowd cheered her on and countless parents told me they were more impressed with her than kids with natural talent. I learned much from watching her and those lessons popped into my head as I read your awesome story.
C D Swanson 
03/15/19
Sweet job with the topic and great writing, thank you.

Blessings~
Betty Castleberry 
03/15/19
This was a delight to read. The story flowed nicely and I loved the ending. Well done!
Bonnie Kronberger 
03/16/19
Such a wonderful story. As a teacher, I’ve seen many students who suffered humiliation because they were not very athletic, and sports are set up to recognize winners. I wish way back then I had been more perceptive and provided more opportunities for the less athletic kids to find success in gym class.
Bonnie Bowden 
03/17/19
I could relate to the character in the story. Only my two hurdles were the softball throw and the arm hang.

But sometimes what we think of as bad, can be a blessing in disguise.


Linda Lawrence 
03/21/19
This sweet story is well-written. Smooth - with no stumbles. Glad that it placed in the writing race.
Bonnie Bowden 
03/21/19
Congratulations on finishing 6th place, Francy!
Barbara Lynn Culler 
04/21/19
I'm really late on my comments, but trying to get caught up. Oh I hated those "Presidential" tests. I was an overweight kid and always last. Loved your story and I anticipated the ending. Well done!