Beyond Medal and Certificate

On Saturday, May 10, my sister-in-law shared the exciting news about our daughter Yesha's upcoming Annual School Sports Day. We were both thrilled and anxious, excited to see her stepping beyond the classroom walls, yet nervous about all the "what ifs": What if she doesn't win? What if she comes first or last? Despite the uncertainty, I remained hopeful about her participation.

When we heard that Yesha came third in the "Shoe Race," our hearts swelled with joy, pride, and gratitude. Watching the videos before her race made us a little uneasy; the tension was palpable. Competing on the track against strong opponents isn't easy, especially at her age. But she did it, she ran, she finished, and she won a medal. That alone felt extraordinary.

As parents, our happiness wasn't just about the medal or certificate. It was about seeing her engage in something beyond academics. I've always believed that activities like these aren't just about play or physical effort, they're essential to a child's learning journey. They shape character, build resilience, and teach values like determination, perseverance, teamwork, and most importantly, how to face failure.

This is just the beginning, but Yesha is already making her mark in the world beyond the classroom. I'm incredibly proud of her. I hope she continues to grow, not just academically, but as a grounded, compassionate, and capable human being. I also hope every parent encourages their children to participate in such activities. Because in the end, it's not about winning, it's about learning, growing, becoming, and yes, failing. Failure must be embraced as a vital part of life and learning.

"As I celebrate Yesha's achievement, I'm reminded of my own school days. The thrill of competition, the sting of defeat, the lessons in teamwork, and the emotional rollercoaster of it all. I'm sure she felt some of those same emotions too."

Later that day, we congratulated her and asked how she would've felt if she hadn’t placed third. Her honest answer: "I don't know." That opened a moment of reflection. I told her how proud I was, but also reminded her to prepare for setbacks. I asked how she would've reacted if she came fourth, fifth, or last. I explained that most people experience far more failures than successes in life. Even basketball legend Michael Jordan credited his missed shots and lost games as the foundation of his success.

I want Yesha to understand that failure is not something to fear. It's something to accept, learn from, and grow through. Life isn't a bed of roses; it's a mix of triumphs, setbacks, joy, and pain. Resilience is what carries us through.

Toward the end, I sincerely thanked my sister-in-law, my brother, little Reva, Rewang, and our cousins for standing by Yesha's side. Her medal and certificate felt like a collective victory. She made all of us proud. Thank you, everyone!

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Yesha's Bronze Medal

Certificate