Head start

When I was 2 my brother was born.
When I was 5 he was 3 and I rolled him over a big foam barrel that mum got from the toy library.
When I was 8 he was 6 and when I was 12 he was 10. I had a constant head start. We were close enough to be doing the same things all the time, but far enough for apart for me to be in front.


When I was 14 David started Taekwondo. He did it for 6 months, enjoyed it and started to get pretty good. Then I decided I wanted to join in, Dave had a good head start.


For the next 2 years we pretty much sparred. Twice a week at training we did our stretches, drills then sparred. After every Jackie Chan movie we looked across the lounge room then sparred. Sometimes we walked down the hall at the same time, then sparred.


It was fun, but it was also me constantly trying to catch up the head start that Dave had. I couldn’t do it. Dave was too flexible, too fast, too skilful and just too far ahead. Also he was also two belts above me and it just showed.


One time at school my big burly year 11 friend and I sauntered over to the year 9 area. David was there with some of his friends, and like a real teenage goose, I thought it would be ‘fun’ to shape up for a spar (read try and haul in the head start, again).


David read my bravado laced posture and briskly snapped me in the side of the head with a kick.


‘Fair enough’ I thought, I guess he’s still got a pretty clear head start.


Happy birthday Dave. Keep snapping buddy.