Recently while vacationing in a small mountain town in the West, I took a road that led by the local high school. I began to pass a number of students out running who were obviously on the fall cross-country team. The lead group of about four all looked like upper classmen, well built and striding along comfortably at a brisk pace. As I drove, I passed more groups following the leaders, but all of them were running at a slower pace, looking as if they were struggling a bit more. I thought I had passed them all until a long distance later I spotted a lone runner heading in the same direction.
This runner was very small, his hair flopped over his eyes which he kept brushing back from his glasses. He was obviously laboring, but still running with a determined look on his face. He did not look as if he were in the same school with the comfortable, muscled group that had been leading the pack. But he was giving it his all. He was still running.
I was suddenly filled with admiration for this small determined young boy and mentally wished him all the best in his quest to be on the team. Whatever his route in life may be, the courage he showed in tackling something which was difficult for him will stand him in good stead.
I then thought about myself and the difficulties that seem to present themselves as one marks the eighth decade of life. These are challenges are new and different from what one felt at 20, and it takes a great deal of determination to keep running at this stage of life. I hope that I can express as much courage now at this time in my life as that young boy reaching for the cross-country team. He is an inspiration.