It has been a while; I have been tied up with a number of projects but I also have had my excuses.
I had wanted to send this thought-for-the-week, during the week of November 8th, but here we are the week of December 13th and this thought-for-the-week is still relevant.
The below three stories have to do with a race and how the competitors treated each other. ‘Crossing the Finish Line Together’ has been a story that has stayed with me for many years and I try to be the person ‘running in the other direction’.
I hope that more people will agree than disagree, that this is a race we can all come together on.
Crossing the Finish Line Together
Based on a true story which happened at the 1976 Special Olympics in Seattle, Washington.
Years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants lined up at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the starting gun, they all started off in their own way, making their best effort to run down the track toward the finish line. That is, except for the one young boy who stumbled soon after his start, tumbled to the ground and began to cry. Two of the other racers, hearing the cries of the boy who fell, slowed down and looked back at him. Then without hesitation, they turned around and began running in the other direction—toward the injured boy.
While the other contestants struggled to make it to the finish line, the two who had turned around to run in the other direction reached for the boy and helped him to his feet. All three of them then linked arms and together they walked to the finish line. By the time the trio reached the end, everyone in the stands was standing and cheering, some with tears rushing down their faces. Even though by turning back and helping the boy who fell, they lost their own chance to win the race, they all had smiles on their faces because they knew they had done the right thing.
Max and Marvin
The highlight of a Special Olympics event last weekend at North Rose-Wolcott High School in New York came during the 50-meter dash, where two competitors reminded all of us why we love sports.
Max and Marvin, best friends who had never before competed together according to local news station 13WHAM, lined up for the race. The gun fired and Max raced out to an early lead, but he noticed his friend was falling behind.
Without hesitation Max retreated, grabbed Marvin’s hand and helped him through the rest of the race. The two crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, encouraged by the thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.
A True Story of a True Champion
The race to the finish between Abel MutI and Ivan Fernandez
Person of the week
The Person of this week is to all the team players that I have been honored to work with and at times, to represent. They did what was needed to be done, regardless of title or responsibilities. They carried the team at times, and they lifted others when it was the time of others to carry the team. There are too many to list, but I thank them all
thought for the week 