Friday was the day of the Regionals for the East Lansing High School Cross Country team. It was Sonja’ last meet for the year and for grandparents, nothing is more important than to cheer her on. It’s why we came, to watch and support our granddaughters any ways we can. So we headed North on Highway 127 to the little town of Shepherd, Michigan about an hour away. Along the way I enjoyed the scenery as we drove through mid-Michigan’s farmland. We passed Papa John’s Cider Mill and many cornfields with brown dried stalks standing like ghosts. We went past many red-barns and tall silver silos. There were miles of plowed fields dotted with many huge three bladed wind mills, their blades moving ever so slowly. At Shepherd High School we found our way to the Meet which was in the fields way off behind the football stadium. There were 16 teams from all over Central Michigan there for the meet both boys and girls, so the place was a buzz with activity and excitement. We followed the crowds trying to figure out where we should stand for best sightings of Sonja as she ran by. We heard that the starting time was moved back to 2:45. We found a good spot way out by a beautiful forest at the peak of color where the path lead into the trees. As we waited, I regaled over the beauty of the perfect oranges, yellows and reds of the changing leaves. I almost missed Sonja in her first pass because she had her hair up in a new style. There were 86 girls running and they come by so fast and all in a pack. It was exciting that on the second pass, I saw Sonja coming and could tell she saw me and that made me very happy! She knew we were there rooting for her! In the end, it wasn’t a great race for Sonja or the E. L. Cross Country team. They came in second to last. Her injuries caught up with her and as it turned out she was also sick. It’s amazing she could run 3 miles in such shape. She was visibly upset after the race when we saw her. I felt so badly that I didn’t know how or have the opportunity to console her. I’m proud of her no matter how she does. Winning is always great and not having a good race is really hard after committing so much time and energy and heart to the team.
Then later that day, Erika’s Marching Band played at the E.L. Play-off football game. The Band didn’t march, but were all dressed up in their uniforms. They played the National Anthem before the game, played at Half time and of course played the “fight songs” and “triumph songs” when the team scored a touch-down. They played that song six times!. Paul and I walked to the game. He got me a hot dog, nice and burned just like I like them. It brought back memories for me of high school football games. We went to the stands down by where the Band sits in the bleachers. Erika saw us and gave a smile. The game itself was exciting football, with E.L winning handily. It was a beautiful night warm with a full harvest moon peeking through striated clouds looking appropriately spooky. It was fun to see Erika playing her clarinet. She was so happy sitting by her friend in the bleachers. It’s wonderful that the Marching Band has been such a fun and important part of Erika’s high school experience. And how great it was to have two events in one day to see both granddaughters in their elements. It’s why we came!
No comments:
Post a Comment