We all went to Deason's end of the season sailing school awards dinner. Chris's parents and Kristin came along as well, it was a beautiful night so we all walked down to the yacht club since it is only 1/2 mile away. There was a spaghetti dinner, and then the awards ceremony. Every class member was given a certificate, and each class had a "most improved" award and an "instructors choice" award. By 8:30 Dahlia was getting tired and we decided to leave. At that time they had given out all of the racing awards and with only a few more awards to be given, we snuck out during a standing ovation for a volunteer award.
We got back to the boat and heard someone yelling "HELLO...HELLO"! Joyce from Boston Yacht Sales (she works at the MacDougalls' yard, and is also a member at the yacht club) had driven down from the yacht club to come and get us. Apparently, Deason was chosen for the last award of the evening. It's the "Robert E. Arnold Sportsmanship Award". We were told that they gave this big speech about Robert Arnold who was a great guy who everyone wanted around, would do anything to help anyone, and while he wasn't the fastest sailor out there he had the best attitude. Then they told a story about Deason, who had sacrificed his sinking shirt to save the rudder that was floating away after his boat had capsized. Joyce had came to track us down and bring us back to the yacht club so Deason could get his plaque and to see the big cup that will now have his name engraved on it along with all of the others who have won the award in the past.
I have to say, I have never in my life felt so emotionally conflicted. I am so proud of him, but I am also devastated that we weren't there. At the time that they were giving out the "instructors choice" award for Deason's class, I internally thought that with everything they were saying...it had to be Deason, and was a little disappointed for him that he didn't get that award. Then, we left early and completely robbed Deason of this great opportunity to be recognized for being such a great kid. By the time we got back to the yacht club most of the people were gone, but all of the instructors and the program director were still there, and Deason was ecstatic just to have them recognize him. Selfishly, I am sad that we missed it all. I wanted to hear what they had to say about him, I would have loved to see him get up there and have everyone clap for him. But being the great sport that he is, he was happy to get the plaque and be able to show it to all the dock staff.
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