It
was nine miles at Stony Creek once again today, and it was really tough. I have been riding a happy high because my
body has been cooperating so much, but today I was showing my age. My knees, both of them were talking to me
especially that last mile. They were
saying, “Um, hello idiot, it would be one thing if you were a solid ten pounds lighter, but you are
asking way too much from us. Enough
already!”
Then
there were the wonky hips. I’ve hardly
had to mention them at all the last couple of months, but today they were an
issue- not a deal breaker issue, but enough to make me remember how nervous I
was at the beginning of this Boston Marathon journey. Can my body do this once again? I know I am not a decrepit old sod, but I
tell you, each year rests on my shoulders, and back, and face a little heavier!
We
made a visit in the evening to our closest friends, the Gibbs (Greg and Andrea) who live close
by. I have a really good sounding board
with Greg as he has a number of marathons under his belt and knows how it
is. He is also a Christian pastor, and
there is something about him that is just so reassuring and compassionate. When I shake my head and say, “I don’t know
Greg…” he will be right there with his firm, “You got this. You can do it.” And it’s believable!
Greg running the Detroit Half last fall- that look says it all |
We
trained together for Chicago; his church was part of a charitable campaign to
bring fresh drinking water to the people of South Africa with money to dig
wells. Remember how I said that after my
first marathon I would never do that again?
Well I meant it, until I talked with our friends one evening at their home
and Greg told me about this great project.
For
me, to choose to train and run a marathon cannot happen unless I have a set
thing: something to fight for, because it’s not like I’m gleaning motivation to
win the thing. My first marathon was
completely inspired by my mother; I started training in the early summer, when
she was in the final stages of her cancer battle. My heart told me that I needed to do this, to
demonstrate and honor the mother who taught me through example what perseverance
in the face of unspeakable pain was, to show her that I learned and that I
cherished her and what she fought for.
It
was a personal thing and when I crossed that finish line I started to cry and I
looked up to heaven and was overcome once again with the gratitude for all that
I have been given: my mother, the ability to finish, the gift of life and God
helping me to live it fully.
Then
when Greg told me about this incredible project to give back, I threw the “one
marathon and done” motto out the window.
Here was a reason again to fight- for something outside myself. It’s kind of like that circle I keep talking
about- as graces and blessings come in to me, God is steering me to scoop them
up and push them right back forward, into His loving heart. To accept everything- the good stuff and the
crosses, and to surrender them all to Him.
And
now, for me, I have my reason to fight for marathon number three, my four
reasons actually: In thanksgiving to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, to make
amends to Him, to adore Him, and for those He has given me to love.
I
guess I have a point to make with all this, and it is that we are all
connected, I kinda think about the Lion King and “the circle of life”
except I really don’t have any interest in eating anyone. I am searching constantly to find out what
truth is and I know that there are many different, unique journeys toward our
goal of heaven, but for each one the Way is always the same- it is Jesus. Whether that comes through living your life
as a Catholic Christian, or a non-denominational one, we are all in this
together, we are all connected. We share
in the failures of this world and in its successes.
Well
actually, the successes belong to God; the failures are all our own because I
can do no good thing without God, the Holy Spirit moving in me, working in
me. I cannot claim anything good for
myself.
While
the title of this blog (a Catholic’s
Road) might seem as though I am trying to separate myself from all the other
pilgrims on this journey, those dear ones who totally inspire me (as they
surely walk the walk), and call my friends, I am not. I guess in this world, I see my church as
being at the bottom of the pile right now, the most politically incorrect
organization out there (food for thought, as the devil is out to destroy
anything of God). I just wanted to make
my tiny voice heard, to represent myself and my faith as best as this meager,
sinful human being can. That’s it.
July 4th on Lake Michigan with our best friends, everyone is photo bombing the sunset! |
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