That Time I Would Have Won A Race

Many years ago, when my children were very young, they were members of a BMX Club. The club was sponsored by City Of Powder Springs For Youth. If the parents of the children who were members volunteered to work at the races, then the children received a full Van’s BMX racing uniform, including shoes; and a BMX bicycle. So, you know, of course I had to volunteer. (I wish I had pictures of them in those uniforms!)

There were BMX races every week. The class that my oldest daughter raced in, 6 and Under Powder Puff, had very few entrants. So few, in fact, that on most race days, Becca had no competition. All she had to do was ride her bicycle around the track, cross the finish line, and she received a big first place trophy. 

That year, 1980, I had decided to take the kids on a vacation to Florida. There was a race the Sunday that we were supposed to leave, so we went to that first. On this particular day, Becca had her very first race where she had competition, as another little girl showed up. Even at the tender age of 6, she knew this race was different. She pedaled her little heart out and won the race. She was beaming with pride as she came running up to me with her first place trophy that day, saying “Look,  Mama! I got first place WITH COMPETITION!” 

As soon as the races were over that day, I threw the bicycles in the back of my Chevrolet Impala station wagon, and headed out for Florida. About half way to our destination, I was pulled over by the Georgia State Patrol.  As the patrolman walked up to my car, Becca was hanging out of the rear window with her first place trophy. She said in her proudest voice “Look, I won first place with competition!” The patrolman looked at her and said “Yes, Honey, and if your mother had been in a race she would have won first place, too!” I was so embarrassed!

What is your most embarrassing moment?