Inspiration

Dear Jules,
Sometimes, God gives us moments of inspiration when we most need them.  Today, for instance, I was watching the CBS Morning News show I like, and this clip came on about this woman who works three jobs, is a single mother, and has run 7 marathons in 7 days across 7 continents.  I think we have a lot in common:  she's short, like me (actually shorter than I, at 5'1"), and her inspiration is her little girl.  Here's the interview:

 Lately, I've been feeling anxious and overwhelmed about all of my responsibilities at work, in the house, etc., but here's a woman who is doing it all gracefully, inspired by her little girl.  It made me remember that you are my inspiration for running, too.  Whenever a race gets difficult, I think about how hard you work at achieving every little thing.  My marathon running is really nothing compared to that day you took your first steps, said your first words, and will say your first sentence.  As your occupational therapist says, you are an incredibly hard worker, and you persevere.

Sometimes, as a parent, I wish it were not this difficult.  I wish you could just start speaking, like, tomorrow (oh, and get potty trained while you're at it).  I wish that this race we were in were a sprint, not a marathon.  But it is a marathon and, like she says in the video, you don't count the miles, you just keep on going and think of it as a "long run."

The thing is, there are advantages to the marathon- to hard work.  I know so many people in the world who have had it easy, only to give up when things got a bit more difficult.  I know many people who don't know what it's like to dig deep down and find that strength that you did not even know you had.  I know many people who have little to no empathy for others who struggle in this long race we call life.  Like a long marathon, a "disability" forces you to do all of these things.  Granted, I choose to run marathons, and you didn't choose to have to work this hard (the distinction is an important one), but still, I think long-distance running applies in many ways to your--and our family's--challenges.

And the thing is, those of us who run marathons wouldn't trade it for the world.  I wouldn't trade our challenges (yes, including the potty training), because that moment when you DO achieve something is one of the most amazing, soul-melting moments any parent can experience.  Your eyes light up, you clap, and the look of pride is just wonderful, because you know how hard you have worked, and you know you deserve it.  You might not get a medal, but I give you all of mine, because you are the one who truly deserves them, and so much more.