A Special Race

One of Peggy’s students was a little 10-year-old named Marcy was moderately challenged, though for all her afflictions, she was the sweetest kid there was. Marcy had a friend that was in most of her classes named Grace, who was a slightly more challenged than Marcy. Friendship, however, doesn’t discriminate, and the two girls struck up a bond that nothing could ever break. They were inseparable.

Peggy thought Grace would benefit from the Special Olympics and placed her student in the 50-yard dash. When Marcy found out that Grace would be in the same event as she was, she cried to my sister that she didn’t want to race against her best friend. Peggy told Marcy that the race was only for fun and that everybody would enjoy it. The explanation must have worked because the little girl smiled and never mentioned it again.

The day of the big race arrived and the two girls got on the bus with my sister for the ride to the field. When the bus pulled into the parking lot, Marcy hugged her friend and said, “No matter what, you’ll always be my best friend.” Grace responded with a big "OK!" Peggy, being as soft-hearted as they come, went through a box of Kleenex when she heard the two girls talking.

Everyone involved with the event was thrilled with the large turn-out. The weather also cooperated; it was a beautiful, clear May day in the high-70s. Twenty minutes later, the contestants were lining up for the race. There were eight competitors in this dash and our girls made sure they were right next to each other.

As the starter’s gun went off, the athletes sprinted for the finish line.