In a weekend of very heavy hearts, one beautiful moment filled mine. It was Palmerston North and teams had just completed their penultimate challenge - the water run.
It was a dad teaming up with his 10 or 11 year old daughter and here is the transcript of their very one-sided conversation.
“Dad. Slow down. We can’t continue unless we put our shoes on.”
“Have you got this?” She continued. “Put the challenge cards down, I’ll sort them.”
There was one teammate in total control and it wasn’t the father. For some reason, dad was genuinely struggling to put his shoes on.
She continued in a most calm and gentle tone. “You can do this dad.”
Mercifully for the daughter, dad finally managed to shoe his feet and then putting them to good work, sprinted off to the dance challenge.
That was it. That was the moment - one that almost all Kiwi dads with daughters can relate to – a strong daughter watching after dad.
This father daughter team were fresh immigrants to New Zealand and just quietly, anonymously, getting on with the task of becoming XRACERS.
Her dad has chosen the perfect country to raise his beautiful daughter and I was in such awe of her strength and love towards her dad.
A strength she had in passing, unwittingly shared with me.
Her timing could not have been more perfect.
Here’s to all of us.