Midway through the almost day-long tournament, we noticed Ashia limping. It was then that our 12-year-old daughter admitted hurting her left ankle during a golf practice round the day before. Much as we tried to convince her to stop playing, she adamantly insisted on finishing the game where she is leading in the individual division representing her school – the School of the Holy Spirit.
After the game and visibly in pain, she said: “That was my birthday surprise gift to you, mom. Happy Birthday!”
Indeed, it had been my wife Ann who had been Ashia’s companion in her almost weekly tournaments and almost daily practices through the years. Much as I want to be there for her, I have to work sometimes on weekends to ensure Ashia can sustain her passion in this very expensive game. Thus, Ashia knew that her keeping her lead in the tournament means so much more to her mom!
Thank you honey for raising a champion! Happy birthday to you both! (Ashia’s natal day was last Friday and Ann’s was yesterday). Please read more about Ashia’s effort to bring honor to the country through sports at this link http://www.krislibrary.com/1/post/2012/08/11-year-old-junior-golfer-ashia-nocum-makes-5th-hole-in-one-press-release.html. Thanks.