Running In Socks

You all know that I've known Tessa since she was nine months old and I have watched her grow up. And I am immensely proud of her, watching her mature into a pretty amazing teenager. (Says one who doesn't have to live with her all the time!)

Yesterday was her school's track meet. Janice and I were going to go watch Tessa compete in the afternoon but a downpour interfered with that plan. In the morning however, Janice was watching Tessa run the 1500m (almost a mile) and noticed that very shortly after the race started, a runner stepped on another runner's heel and the second runner's shoe fell off. Then she watched Tessa win the race (by a long shot) as you can see in the picture below.

Then Tessa came to show off her ribbon, and she was only in her socks. And Janice realized that Tessa was the runner who had lost a shoe. After she lost her first shoe, Tessa than proceeded to kick her other shoe off and finish the race in her socks. You guys, can you imagine running most of a mile in your socks!?!?! And winning!?!?

If it had been me, I would have stopped to put my shoe on, maybe continued (half heartedly) with the race, complained about how unfair life was, and let it ruin my day. Tessa, on the other hand, figured out the best way to keep going, did it, and then, not only finished, but won her race.

I was talking with a different friend yesterday and I mentioned that the past six months have been so incredibly hard (long cold winter, lots of illness, Dave's tendon injury -- you've read about it, you know what I'm talking about). I don't think I have lived them well. I don't think I have handled things with grace. I don't think I have had a good attitude.

And then Janice told me this story. I could not believe it. And I was amazed. And proud. And humbled.

I think I need to practice running in my socks. Tessa has already taught me so much about life. Surely she can teach me how to do this too!

I am sharing this story (and picture) with permission from Janice.