I know we've all had them, but today was but another in the long list of days that I'm greatful to be alive for. I got up several hours earlier than I normally would have to prepare for the 2nd annual Charlotte County Special Olympics Torch Run. The event is hosted by local Sheriff's Departments statewide and is a way to raise money for people with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics. Now, I have arthritis in my knee and I ended my running days several months ago, but I couldn't pass on this event. I'm too into the cause and it means a lot to me to do my part. To say I was petrified (even after running 3-4 miles a day for 6 years) is an understatement. I needed to run on my bad wheel and be a part of the relay. The day was absolutely perfect! Temperatures were in the mid 40's and the morning fog still hung in the bottoms as a group of Charlotte County deputies, Randolph-Henry HS students, and a broken down PE teacher took turns running the 11 miles from Keysville to Charlotte Courthouse...torch in hand. Each step I took I thanked God for letting me have this day to run, be healthy, and do some good for a small percentage of our community that is often unnoticed and shunned. I felt truly blessed to feel the morning sun on my back, hear the horns blow from passing cars, and see the esprit de corps in a group that had never been together before. Each step was tiring, but one step closer to the end goal. When we got to Randolph-Henry HS, we ran one lap around the baseball/football complex and lit the torch opening the Charlotte County Relay For Life. I know I had the runner's high (as I had run 4 total miles of our legs), but the feeling of satisfaction that I felt went well beyond the high. A student that I teach brought her 5-year old sister to meet me, because she had heard so much about me and wanted to know who this man was. Emily is the same age as my youngest son and is fighting for her life in a battle with cancer. She is going to Sloan-Kettering in NYC this summer for treatment and we may never see her again. But, this little girl, her eyes a piercing blue, stared holes in me as she gave me her list of questions. I am one who is usually never short of words or comments, but I was almost speechless as I tried to carry on a normal conversation with this tiny warrior who may not be around for her next birthday. She was such a social butterfly, they had to page her to go to the Survivor's Brunch, because she was out and about meeting new friends. I left Randolph-Henry knowing that I had participated in something completely beautiful and had witnessed God's work. These complete strangers had gotten together to run for people that needed a champion and did it because it was the right thing to do. And Emily wasn't a cancer patient. She was a little kid who wanted to have a good time with her sister and all the people she knew loved her. As I write this, I wonder how many people have ever taken the time to see God's work on a day-to-day basis. I am fortunate, because I have seen the beauty and power and love that is right before our eyes every single day. I pray that each and every one of you can have as perfect a day as I had today.
You were blessed in seeing a small glimpse of Heaven.
Often times in dealing with children, we find that we are no longer their teacher, but their pupil.
Jesus said "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In some translations He says that the kingdom of Heaven belongs to "such as these".
Again, you just got a glimpse. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]
"Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on."
Tremendous post. Thanks for keeping my feet on the ground.
Wonderful post. I am sure you made heaven smile down on you. The act you done is what the body of Christ should do daily.
Just an update to this post. Emily passed away last night. I found out this morning at school when I saw her sister in tears. My first reaction was, "What in the world is she doing at school?" I soon found out when a guidance counselor summoned me to the Office, because Emily's sister requested that I stop by to see her. While I wish the circumstances had been different, I was touched and honored to have been chosen to share in the grieving process. We chatted for awhile and I told Tori that I had described my "Perfect Day" to you all and she had a smile and tears at the same time. Emily did get her final wish to spend a week at Disneyland and definitely impacted the lives of a lot of people in Charlotte County. Let's all make sure that we don't take our lives and our loved ones for granted. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Please be thinking about Emily and her family. Thank you.
You are in the right place, young man. Very proud of you.
You can never rise above the image that you have of yourself in your own mind."
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