It’s been almost three months since my son started Tae Kwon Do. My wife and I were certain he’d into some form of martial arts since the day he fell in love with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but we didn’t really understand the process.
A few weeks ago I wrote an article about how he’d gotten his first stripe on his white belt, the first belt in Tae Kwon Do. The moment he came home with the stripe I was reminded what it meant to be a proud parent. I was reminded what it meant to look at your child and truly understand how joy manifested itself in children.
Now, three months after he got his first stripe, he’s sporting a yellow belt. The second stage in his long journey to becoming a black belt in his art. My wife and I sat on the cushy mat spread all over the floor of the dojo and leaned against the wall as our little martial artist warmed his muscles.
The room was lined with other parents like us, some with children seeking an orange or green belt, and some seeking a yellow belt along with our son. There was a hushed chatter along the walls as parents pointed and smiled, a select few giving their children cold stares because they were playing instead focusing.
