Raw
fear. Big James at the bottom of the hill, me at the top. Little
James snug, confident and unafraid in the Orange Rocket, eager to
start the first test run of his soap box racer. Nice, quiet, freshly
paved country road; check for traffic, all clear, time to let go.
I hesitate, stillclutching the racer, scared to let Little James
take his fate in his own hands. Later Big James tells me he is scared
too, and that all parents feel the same way when they watch their
child zoom down the hill for the first time. Then I get reckless,
and let go. The racer quickly accelerates down the hill, and I experience
the novel feeling of having no control over my son's life. He's
on his own, and if he's going to crash there's nothing I can do
about it. I quickly jump in the car and follow him down the hill.
But James is fine, and
it is clear that neither chemo nor narcotic pain patches nor brain
tumour nor anything else is affecting his judgement, for he steers
true and straight, and pulls up beautifully next to big James at
the bottom of the hill. Three more practice runs, each a little
faster, and we reach 35 km/h. We are "Go" for the soap box derby.
Three months ago I would hardly thought this moment possible.
Which
brings me to the date and time: Saturday Sept 8th, Hunter St East,
just a block West of the Liftlocks. James is competing in the Hobby
Class, and the first heat is at 10am. Then the other classes have
their first heat. After that the second round of heats for the Hobby
Class is held. And then the other classes have their heat two. Get
it? Many heats later, the final heat of the Hobby Class takes place,
perhaps at 3pm. And we are not making any predictions on how far
James will proceed! There will be many worthy young contestants
out there. In addition to the soap box derby there are all sorts
of kid activities taking place to fill the gaps. It's a great series
of family events.
See you there!
Syd and company.
Raw
fear. Big James at the bottom of the hill, me at the top. Little
James snug, confident and unafraid in the Orange Rocket, eager to
start the first test run of his soap box racer. Nice, quiet, freshly
paved country road; check for traffic, all clear, time to let go.
I hesitate, stillclutching the racer, scared to let Little James
take his fate in his own hands. Later Big James tells me he is scared
too, and that all parents feel the same way when they watch their
child zoom down the hill for the first time. Then I get reckless,
and let go. The racer quickly accelerates down the hill, and I experience
the novel feeling of having no control over my son's life. He's
on his own, and if he's going to crash there's nothing I can do
about it. I quickly jump in the car and follow him down the hill.
Which
brings me to the date and time: Saturday Sept 8th, Hunter St East,
just a block West of the Liftlocks. James is competing in the Hobby
Class, and the first heat is at 10am. Then the other classes have
their first heat. After that the second round of heats for the Hobby
Class is held. And then the other classes have their heat two. Get
it? Many heats later, the final heat of the Hobby Class takes place,
perhaps at 3pm. And we are not making any predictions on how far
James will proceed! There will be many worthy young contestants
out there. In addition to the soap box derby there are all sorts
of kid activities taking place to fill the gaps. It's a great series
of family events. 
