But first, be sure to keep updated on Pete at Badwater, he was in 11th place after 92 miles, just minutes out of 8th. Full race recap manana. http://dbase.adventurecorps.com/results.php?bw_eid=71&bwr=Go
*With thanks to Crosby Stills and Nash.
“You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye.”
Last week I got a call from the most talented runner in Wayne State history. Two time Olympic Trials marathon qualifier James McGown is going to turn 40 in just a few days, that shudder you hear is the rest of the 40+ men in Nebraska. Been averaging 100+ miles per week for the last 8 weeks. I’m damned proud that he continues to run for me, the Right Stuff on which a club could build a national reputation. James will be tackling the Grand Island Marathon, be afraid, be very afraid. James is also the Principal at Sidney H.S. I would have loved for my own kids to have had him.
“Teach your children well,
Their father’s hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you’ll know by.”
One of the best surprises of Saturday was reconnecting with Marsha Krienke Hanson. Taught my son at Rohwer Elementary and also introduced me to James. She asked me how Miles was, relating that he was surely “Brilliant.” Yes , my son is a genius, that and a dollar twenty will get him a cup of coffee. He, like me, with the future so bright he ought to wear shades. And like me, choosing his own path in life. Modeling is such a very big influence on your children after all.
Especially how you handle diversity, adversity, and acceptance of and respect for adults, whether or not you personally agree with them, something sorely missing in today’s self entitled, my little johnny is perfect, world. I always insisted my kids address other adults as Mr. and Mrs. (or Miss) so and so. Everyone. Not letting my petty imperfections color their shaping, understanding that the impressions, for better and worse, would impact their entire lives.
“And you of tender years
Can’t know the fears that your elders grew by
And so please help them with your youth
They seek the truth before they can die”
The greatest disservice I could have done my kids would have been to allow them to think they are better than someone else based on my/or their own insecurities. Mine aren’t better. Yours aren’t either. I’ve been accused of trying to find the beauty in everything and everyone, and that is true. Each person has some individual trait that is worthy of the human condition. That helps me celebrate life and allows for patience with those that might be different than or disagree with me. To teach otherwise is to foment the madness of the caregiver, and that ultimately is a bane to all of society.
“Teach your parents well
Their children’s hell will slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick’s, the one you’ll know by”
The good news is that all of our kids do grow up into their own person. My dear sweet mother was a chronic alcoholic that regularly beat the hell out of me. Most all of the lessons I learned were the hard way. I vowed I would not visit my own hell on my children. They did pick up on my dreams though. The ones of self sufficiency, self respect, self determination. Each a staunch individual that either stands out or leads, or both.
Well taught.
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