Selling 150 dollars worth of fund raising cookie dough, pies, and pretzels earned my daughter a moment in the spotlight.

Wearing her Halloween “Belle” dress, she stood with four other 2nd graders awaiting the results of top seller…third place went to two of her friends tied at 8 items sold, and my girl just stood there without a clue that she had a chance at first place.

Then, when the second place winner was announced. Again, no reaction from my princess.
When her name was announced as the winner of not only a $25 gift certificate but a Limo ride to lunch at Outback Steakhouse.

What? A limo ride for a seven year old? I was 23 before I ever stepped foot into a Limo and that was only because there was no one to give a trophy at a stock car race so I was volunteered.

At first, her face froze with confusion and then the realization hit her - a smile larger than life lit up her beautiful face and she held the gift certificate up like her own Oscar. I imagined her thanking her parents for this opportunity, the customers that made it possible, and her screaming 2nd grade fans for their support.

She rushed up to us, and in her excitement, uttered these words: “I want Grandma to go with me!”

Wait a minute - didn’t I suffer through 17 hours of labor with her? Have parts of my anatomy sutured that I’d rather not name? Fighting back tears, I smiled at her and congratulated her on the prizes.

I guess I can’t be too upset about her choice since her grandparents did purchase over 50% of her total sales but there’s a small part of me, the part that wants to be #1 in her life, that wanted that spot next to her in the limo. Too bad I don’t know any stock car owners here.