Sometimes reality TV can seem “scripted.” On the Mother’s Day finale of “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business” season 18, the sister team of LaKisha and Jennifer Hoffman outraced all the other teams and paid tribute to the wind beneath their wings, their mother who single-handedly raised them. I’m sure that it’s pure coincidence, but I found the timing of the “honor thy mother” statement to be TV-heaven impeccable!
The sisters got a bit emotional as they acknowledged the lifelong sacrifices their mother undertook to get them to where they are today. Winning the $1 million would allow them to give back and get their mother set up with a business that would take care of her.
In today’s reality where people work hard for their own personal success, it’s quite inspiring that the Jen and Kisha of this world are thinking of someone else besides themselves. Their acknowledgement of the human being who made them who they are was quite touching. Their winning despite the odds is one instance that undoubtedly demonstrates the incredible power of gratitude.
“The Amazing Race” (TAR) typically brings out the nasty side of contenders in stressful situations. Kisha and Jen always gave each other unconditional support (quite rare for many siblings, if you ask me) which partners in competitions are expected to do, but often don't accomplish. Despite certain athletic shortcomings (e.g. Jen’s limited swimming skill and Kisha’s flawed pedaling ability on Florida’s Old Seven Mile Bridge that got them closer to the big money), their can-do attitude paid off and their win is a shout-out that no dream is impossible if the “we’re in it to win it” willpower accompanies it.
The Hoffman sisters had competed in TAR season 14 where they finished fourth. It cost them the finals when Jen had to make a bathroom stop in Beijing. In this kind of game, every second matters. I’m sure that Jen’s bathroom break was a costly move that haunted her! After 40,000 miles, 23 cities, 9 countries, 5 continents and a month-long absence from familiar surroundings, TAR’s season 18 brought Jennifer Hoffman not only reward, but redemption.
Team Kisha and Jen, who according to the viewers was the least likely to win perhaps due to the fact that they never won a single leg of the race, came first on the mat that mattered most. Call it divine destiny! What else could it be when when the Globetrotters team (Nathaniel 'Big Easy' Lofton and Herb 'Flight Time' Lang), who were physically more competent, couldn’t even outrun the sisters? The father and daughter team (Gary and Mallory Erwin) was good in competitions, but in the last leg of the race that counted most had the misfortune of getting stuck with a cab driver who was clueless in getting them to their destination.
I am thrilled for the Hoffman girls. It makes me happy to see hardworking and determined folks not only get rewarded with a huge chunk of money, but earn the prestige that comes with the win. I’m certain that they made one mother absolutely, very proud.
Congratulations and more power, Jen and Kisha!
The sisters got a bit emotional as they acknowledged the lifelong sacrifices their mother undertook to get them to where they are today. Winning the $1 million would allow them to give back and get their mother set up with a business that would take care of her.
In today’s reality where people work hard for their own personal success, it’s quite inspiring that the Jen and Kisha of this world are thinking of someone else besides themselves. Their acknowledgement of the human being who made them who they are was quite touching. Their winning despite the odds is one instance that undoubtedly demonstrates the incredible power of gratitude.
“The Amazing Race” (TAR) typically brings out the nasty side of contenders in stressful situations. Kisha and Jen always gave each other unconditional support (quite rare for many siblings, if you ask me) which partners in competitions are expected to do, but often don't accomplish. Despite certain athletic shortcomings (e.g. Jen’s limited swimming skill and Kisha’s flawed pedaling ability on Florida’s Old Seven Mile Bridge that got them closer to the big money), their can-do attitude paid off and their win is a shout-out that no dream is impossible if the “we’re in it to win it” willpower accompanies it.
The Hoffman sisters had competed in TAR season 14 where they finished fourth. It cost them the finals when Jen had to make a bathroom stop in Beijing. In this kind of game, every second matters. I’m sure that Jen’s bathroom break was a costly move that haunted her! After 40,000 miles, 23 cities, 9 countries, 5 continents and a month-long absence from familiar surroundings, TAR’s season 18 brought Jennifer Hoffman not only reward, but redemption.
Team Kisha and Jen, who according to the viewers was the least likely to win perhaps due to the fact that they never won a single leg of the race, came first on the mat that mattered most. Call it divine destiny! What else could it be when when the Globetrotters team (Nathaniel 'Big Easy' Lofton and Herb 'Flight Time' Lang), who were physically more competent, couldn’t even outrun the sisters? The father and daughter team (Gary and Mallory Erwin) was good in competitions, but in the last leg of the race that counted most had the misfortune of getting stuck with a cab driver who was clueless in getting them to their destination.
I am thrilled for the Hoffman girls. It makes me happy to see hardworking and determined folks not only get rewarded with a huge chunk of money, but earn the prestige that comes with the win. I’m certain that they made one mother absolutely, very proud.
Congratulations and more power, Jen and Kisha!
