they did their best

It was a long weekend... following a very long week. Late nights... last minute problem solving... and finishing touches on creations from their imaginations. But they were ready to take on the state... and their goal was to qualify for the world competition, placing first or second. The trailer was carefully loaded with each and every handmade, team created costume and prop. Mr. Snowy Owl, their robotic creature, was perched in the passenger seat of the truck. Before pulling out of the parking lot, all seven team members decorated the windows of all three vehicles making up the caravan to Orlando. They were ready... and in great spirits!

... my beautiful talking palm tree...

... the pink belt ninja flamingo...

... the tree-hugging yeti...

... the snowbird lost inside the snowglobe...

... and Mr. Snowy Owl.


Compliments flew before and after their performance. Their costumes were spectacular, their skit original and outlandish. And the performance? Spot on. The best they had ever performed. All of a sudden, I really wanted them to go to worlds. And so the waiting began...

I wish I could tell you that their best effort earned them a place in the world competition. I wish I could tell you that they were thrilled with the results of the evening. But fifth place was not where they wanted to be, and there were a few tears. But they did their best. And while their best did not earn them the right to compete again, it did bring out the best in them. After the tears and the disappointment there was laughter... there were jokes... and there was sportsmanship. This group of young adults created something special together that may never come again... and the memories of this experience that they store in their hearts will eventually bring more to joy to their life than a trophy ever could.