I can’t think of a single thing that makes me happier than giving gifts to the people I love. Now, everyone who knows me understands that I like surprises; presents are indeed welcome. But, nothing tops seeing the look on someone’s face when you nail it, when you give the best present that he/she never expected.
That’s what happened this weekend with our oldest son. He’s eight years old and he lives and breathes racing, NASCAR especially. He’s really got into the whole sport, the strategy, the mechanics of it this year. He records every race on our TiVo. He analyzes them. He sets up his little Hot Wheels NACARs and recreates the best moves and wrecks. It’s his thing.
So, when the opportunity to send him to his first race just landed in our laps, we didn’t even think about the budget. We had to do it. We got an e-mail from Boy Scouts of America (he’s a cub) that tickets were available for the Boy Scout Campout at the Brickyard. It was a special event that included camping on the infield and some special surprises, like an all access. My husband and I just took a chance that tickets would be available…and we got them.
It was SO hard not telling him that we were about to make his dream come true. For months he’d watch his races and talk about how he was going to save all of his allowance next year to get a ticket. It was agony watching him wish he could go, but being the sweet boy that he is, not wanting to tap out the budget. He’s an amazing kid.
His grandparents took him and his brother to qualifying and that was really enough for him. He got to see the action and he really seemed content to have gotten that close. He got his Jimmie Johnson hat and t-shirt. He was good.
So, now that I’ve rambled enough, the end of the story has a very surprised little boy having lived out his dream – to the extreme. He not only attended the Brickyard, but he got to ask Jimmie a question at the Q & A (do you get dizzy when you drive on oval tracks?) and then watch him win. Guess he’ll have to dream a bigger dream. Why do I have a feeling it involves Talladega?
