Walking with my boys back stage, I could tell, they were in awe, being somewhere where that seemed like it should be "off limits." We pass the bikini girls and turn back just in time to see them giggle to each other as they turn their eyes away. I love witnessing the way my boys see the world. Their experiences are my experiences when I am mentally awake enough to be in the moment with them. I wish I could always be.
We round the corner to the smelly bodybuilders chamber. In walk two bright eyed boys! I introduce them. They aren't the least bit intimidated and make conversation. They belong here. Most of the other competitors enjoyed them being back there. They lightened things up. They were excited about the treats I had backstage, girl scout cookies and chocolate. Cameron wanted to get right to the treats. Bodhi was ready to become The Hulk! Good thing too, because no sooner than I smear paint and deck him in breakaway clothes, they call the boys to the stage. Beforehand I'm told I get to present their medals, so I take them to one side of the stage and walk around to the other to meet them.
Bodhi walks out as a pale faced normal boy. He's hiding his Hulk mask and turns around and crouches, waiting for the music to start. Head down, he dons the mask. As soon as I get to the other side, the Pacific Rim theme rockin' theme tune comes on and Bodhi is Hulking out! He seemed nervous before, but once on stage, It was gone!
Bodhi begins tearing clothes, posing, and working the crowd far more than I imagined! I'm going nuts! I wish I had this kids stage presence! He owns the stage. He finishes and the applause and cheers are enormous. Best routine of the night! Flawless!
They announce Cameron and push him out on stage before his music starts. He timidly walks out and is a little stunned by the crowd. He forgets his poses, but I told him, "If you forget, just hit any pose...and SMILE!!!" The only one he remembers is the "Archer". So he keeps hitting it. Then it comes to him. He remembers his routine and comes alive. Then comes the smile! that's all he needed to do to win the crowd over.
Standing ovation!
I present the medals, and we get a moment that Mark Mason captured forever! A photo and video treasure! If ever I'm in a bad mood, I'm watching Hulk and Superman again and again!
Geez I love these boys! Being a Dad absolutely ROCKS!!! I think it's good that our kids see us doing cool stuff. But it's even more important to do cool stuff with our kids. They won't want to be my sidekicks forever. Someday I hope to be theirs. I know when I'm sitting in my porch swing when I'm 120, I'm going to be thinking about these days and watching videos of them on YouTube. Because THESE ARE THE GLORY DAYS!!!
i was talking to the boys about "doing cool stuff", and how awesome it is. I wrote a few notes and stuck them around the house that say "DCS" to remind us that we want to live life doing cool stuff and not let ourselves get stale. They were feeling so good having done something so scary. It was a huge boost of confidence, and gave them a stronger zest for life! I can only hope experiences like this help them have courage to step out of the comfort zone and DO COOL STUFF!
By the way, they are still wearing their medals.
ENJOY THE SHOW....It's a guaranteed smile!