I never thought it would be nearly as fulfilling as when I ran an entire team, got to be at the finish line congratulating my girls and their families, and encouraging them. But there is something so different cheering on 800+ girls and their coaches and buddy runners dressed up as a unicorn. In the winter months it was advantageous to dress up in costume because it was freezing cold out. But when it was going to be a humid 90 degree day, nothing says hot and sweaty quite like wearing a giant mascot unicorn head and jumping around and cheering for kids for an hour and a half.
Was I tired? You bet your bottom I was.
Was I hot and sweaty? I think I could have squeezed a gallon of sweat from my hair alone.
Was I happy? There aren't enough words to what it meant to cheer kids on.
It takes so little to bring joy to their lives. And for a moment or two I even made some kids believe I was full of magic by saying their names as they ran by me. They have their names on their race bibs and like most kids they forgot. There may have been a couple of kids without the named bibs that I happened to know in person so that was an extra special surprise for them.
I wish I was so genuinely good in my heart and could say that I did this 100% for the kids out on that course and their families, but that wouldn't be quite true. There is something magical about bringing a smile to so many faces. More rewarding than almost anything else I can think of doing for someone I don't know. All the high fives, hugs, and even a few kisses on the unicorn's nose reminded me of how much I dreamed of magic and unicorns as a little girl.
But you know those moments that live with you forever? The kind that melt your heart and remind you that there is so much good and kindness and love in the world?
I will share mine
At the end of the event, I walked around the finish area because I remembered last time I did this that many kids wanted a picture with the unicorn before they left and I wanted to give them that opportunity. I try really hard to keep the head on when walking around so very few kids see who it really is. This allows them to think it might even be someone they know personally.
As I was finishing up and it was mostly cleared out I finally was visiting the merchandise table to buy some much needed swag. I had removed my unicorn head because I was melting like a puddle inside and figured it was only a handful of kids left. While looking at a unicorn headband (surprise!), I felt this soft tug on my shirt and turned to see one of the last runners that had finished the event. Small tiny little girl beaming at the unicorn head in my hand. She said something softly to me and I could barely make it too but I realized she wanted me to put the unicorn head back on. I got down on my knee with the head on and she gave me a giant hug and beamed with such a happiness it was infectious. Two days later and I am still wrapped in that happy little smile of hers.
A small thank you and agreeing to take a photo with me and she was on her way. And for that, I am ever so thankful that I get these chances to be involved in such a wonderful organization.
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