Failures and victories (continued)

i was always good in school, but i never thought anything about it until i was in fourth or fifth grade. i just assumed everyone always made A’s. in fact with arthimetic, i considered myself a poor student for a while. but i knew i was on to something with my ability to program the computer…

It is those wonderful little awards that makes the defeats seem bearable. I remember when I was picked to sing a solo in the class play of my fifth grade and the kids picked me and seeing as I was not very popular, I was floored! I still feel the pride my mother had for me then. You always seem to find things to write about, Oswego, that trigger memories in us all! Wonderful!!!!

This is a wonderful entry. We all have those moments of defeat, humiliation, and shame during our formative years, I think. Those shining moments of triumph are so heartening to recall! Have you heard from Mads? How is she?

I too am struck sometimes when I think how the moments of victory and defeat were not so little at all, how they can had an impact beyond their seming insignificance. On the sports point, one of my favorite TV moments i recent years was from the TV show “Freaks and Geeks,” when the geeks convinced the PE teacher that they should be the team captains and pick the teams for a change. [Ospre

Thanks for telling this personal story. Very nicely done.

It’s funny, once I realised I could easily excel in school, I stopped trying.

When I was 17-18 years old, I wrote an article for my English Composition Class about the VietNam War. My teacher submitted it to the local newspaper and they chose to print it. I was astonished as I never realized that my “thoughts” would have an impact upon someone else~ I would love to sit upon a park bench with you & converse. You awaken our senses so well, dear friend~ Thanks alway

mmm now why does this NOT surprise me..that you got an award in writing ? *grin*

Amazing, isn’t it, how our little victories and defeats can stay with us so long. My childhood was almost opposite: I excelled at athletics but struggled with my grades. Then, I won the Walt Whitman Award for poetry while in High School, which meant a lot more to me than winning at sports…and opened doors to entirely new forms of expression for me.

Just been reading abt the moon over the pier, New Orleans’ Skid Row, slings of defeats and the pleasure of triumphs…you’re a fantastic writer. I could relate to so many things though I live half a world away Thanks for sharing :))

I failed PE in high school because I refused to suit up and play against the basketball girls. Told the coach if I wanted to be mauled and gouged, I would have tried out for the team. But I won a special mention in a national high school poetry anthology. Question: Did you ever swim just for the enjoyment of being in the water? Do you, now?

What a can of pain and anger opened reading this entry. I well remember what I chose to forget. Perhaps I should explore it now with the little wisdom that age has given me. In 1996 I felt a small victory. I had taken an honors history class requiring a paper that took two semesters to write and was published by the college. The DAR “invited” me to read it. I felt such embarrassed pride. [

Everybody are good at something! You are good at many things. We all need victories. I’m glad you got this!

But if God exists, then his knowledge determines our actions, and our purpose. The many varied questions we ask as a species all have answers which affect our actions. If we ask the right question, we’ll shape our actions go towards that purpose. Surely that means that this question is the very first question we should ask.

Sports? I was chosen last for even “ring around the rosy.” The something-yard dash? Forget it! Huff! Puff! Last! But, I remember having teachers compliment my drawings. And the A+’s on writing? I still have the childish papers. My college English teacher used my essays as samples in her teaching. Guess it makes up for the many humiliations! Somewhat. Sometimes. I like an excuse to cont

tell about it every now and then. When I saw my teacher using the essays of former students, I was awed. “Oh, how wonderful that must be–having a college teacher hold your essays up as examples of excellence!” So, I’m still overwhelmed that she used mine after our class was over. :O)

Touching. A familar story. History. Glad you won that certificate–seeds of a future love there in that. Our girl won an essay contest from them, too–was overwhelmed when she found she’d need to attend a meeting and read it!

Bravo to you my dear friend. How exciting for you. We are glad you share the rich history you’ve absorded with us on these pages.

You brought back the anguish of the teen years back. I also hated organized sports. I might not have been able to throw a football, but I was able to petal my 10 speed 50+ miles when I had to!! In a way those horrible experiences toughened me up for my adult years. I could stand back and watch the ones who always had things come easily for them fall down, and guiltly feel some satisfaction! [brick

Sometimes people don’t understand it, but there are many things that mean a lot to me that I’ve accomplished…that have nothing to do with winning blue ribbons or trophies for being athletic .

RYN. I’m waivering a little, I think. It gets harder and harder to define myself this way. Maybe I shouldnt. I don’t know. If someone asks, what do you tell them? Do you tell them you’re a writer? Or, do you hide it away like an embarassing unsightly scar. I hate that I do that.

It is so amazing how long lasting those early victories and defeats are in life. I believe that almost everyone can name their top three horrendous failures before they left high school and the one thing that caused a turning point in their life, as well. Very interesting observation, Oswego, and a well told story.

Yes, your victories are memorable, and you continue your great success today, I can see. Your writing and your entries here are so very fine. Your intelligence and sensitivity and hard work shine, like that full moon over the ocean. It’s interesting how varied our past experiences are, and to notice which ones are like brightly colored threads that are woven into the present. [Dream Skater]A33353

I kept all my awards, too…..mostly in writing and some for my artwork. Those have always been my passions and the awards strengthened my desire to do them. They were an extension of my soul, I felt, and so were personal triumphs. And history…..I liked reading it, like a long story, but now I want more and more, all the sideroads I can explore!

History was a cherished subject, but almost everything learned faded away when no longer needed to pass tests. There was a survey about retention of various subjects. Chemistry led them all, which didn’t surprise me because of the beautiful symmetry of molecules, especially orgaanic ones [Willy]

It is a shame that all children can’t be singled out and told they excell in something. It would change so many lives. I’m glad that you had that experience.

Isn’t it strange how these things can mean so much? My ‘victory’ came in a drama class. Chronically shy, I don’t even know how I managed to get myself there. The girl in the lead role left, I got the part. Worked my butt off learning the lines before the next rehearsal. The reward came as a standing ovation from the rest of the cast. I though I might burst with pride. 🙂 [Cloistered Blue]A25

I really enjoyed this entry Oswego. I had a sense of you letting down your guard a little and I liked what I saw. Your experience seems to have echoed in the lives of your readers. You struck many chords.

When I was singled out to attend parochial school, tuition free, because somehow my grit and determination came to somebody’s attention I embarked on a life journey fraught with impediments and frustrations and it remains that way but I persist. Thanks dear for helping me remember who I am.

I was here but printed these entries to read them tomorrow at breakfast…with a delicious cup of coffee. Will return tomorrow. Have a nice evening,