The Extraordinary

So much of life is lived in the ordinary. I have been on a quest to help my family and Brendon in particular to live in the ordinary, and enjoy the all the ordinary moments. He goes to school with kids his age, vacation with the family, sporting events cheering for his brothers (and the Volunteers and Titans when we can), YMCA after school care, swimming, movies, etc. Often we have to think of ways to do things differently by accessing special seating, parking, equipment, restroom access, food Brendon can eat, hotel rooms that are big enough etc. to make these events as ordinary as possible. To make our life ordinary has often been frustrating, we don't get the opportunity to be anonymous. Even going to WalMart elicits glances, and comments. Every ordinary experience is an opportunity to educate and demonstrate to others, we are more alike than different. Sometimes this can be exhausting and frustrating for a mom. (Luckily I am at a stage in my life that it doesn't matter if I have make up on or not.) But I long ago accepted my role as educator and advocate because somewhere along the journey I realized this is what God intended me to be.

HOWEVER, sometimes you get the opportunity to do something EXTRAORDINARY. Those events and moments need to be celebrated and shared because those are the things that inspire and cause change. Running and completing the Virginia Beach 1/2 Marathon has been one of these EXTRAORDINARY experiences for me. From the moment Brendon got in the car and said, "This is going to be fun Mommy," I knew this was going to be an event to remember. We spent Friday afternoon reveling in the marathon exhibit experience. We got our race numbers (yes Brendon got his). We went on to meet Dick and Rick Hoyt. For the Hoyts marathon racing has become an ordinary experience. Most observers recognize what they do as extraordinary but from what I know of being a mom of a child with a disability, it's about the love a parent has for their child. a love that will often push a parent beyond their own limits to bring joy to their child's life. It's about creating your own story, what becomes ordinary to you. Their story is so powerful because it is an example of love and that is what inspires and encourages others such as Brendon and myself. We took pictures and got autographs. While at their booth we met another couple of racers who were also in wheelchairs. I recognized they were waiting and apologized for being in the way. They both smiled and said "patience". I knew exactly what they meant as I have observed the same patience in Brendon. We snapped a quick picture after a few minutes of conversation about the race.

Saturday we took it easy at the beach. My boys have always enjoyed the ordinary events of a beach vacation. Swimming, riding the waves, digging in the sand have entertained them for hours and this trip was no exception. What was helpful was the accessibility of the beaches. They had a boardwalk access to all the shops and wooden walkways leading to the sand, close to the water so the pushing in the stroller was minimal and easy. While Andrew surfed the waves, Brendon headed out on Ryan's shoulders to splash around. We headed home early to get rest for the big race.

4:30 AM Sunday, race day, everyone was in various stages of alertness. After dressing in our race ware, filling up water bottles, putting on the time chips and race numbers, gathering up other various essentials we headed out. We arrived in the dark, in plenty of time to participate in some prerace standing, chatting, and observing the excitement. We got to go directly to the front of the start line as we were starting with the wheelchair racers. I chatted with a mom helping her daughter who is on the wheelchair track team, this was her first 1/2 marathon. I talked to a young man and his mom. He had just completed the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in April. We made a connection as we discussed the hills. I expressed my admiration in his ability to do the up hill in his wheelchair. It was hard enough on two legs. The participants of TEAMHOYT began arriving in strollers and modified chairs. I talked with some of the pushers (a combinations of parents, family members and friends) and riders (those with disabilities), a few being sound asleep. We took pictures, and filmed video. Then it was time to kiss Andrew and Larry and move toward the start.

Everyone lined up at the start and in a flash there was movement as strollers and runners moved forward. All passed us but that was OK, slow and steady we were racing. Finishing was our goal.

Brendon's job was to film and keep up with the stop watch, and wave to the crowd and other runners. The crowds were amazing and encouraging. it was pleasant starting first out of the gate. The roads were clear and spacious. We knew we'd have about 15 minutes of uninterrupted running before the elite women would catch up with us. Ryan, Brendon and I enjoyed the crowds, the space to run, and the excitement. Brendon continued waving. We brought an American flag which he waved proudly.

The the pace cars came upon us and in a matter of seconds a pack of women zoomed by, so fast Brendon didn't have time to get his camera ready. Then they were gone. We enjoyed more open roads with continuous crowd support. About 10 minutes and another group of pace cars came upon us. This time Brendon was ready with the camera. he got the lead pack of men as they zoomed by. Just as quickly as they appeared they were gone! Then we knew our open road access would be challenged as the other runners would be coming up behind us. We kept running on as one by one racers began to pass us. We got lots of "Good Job, and Keep It Up's"! Brendon began shouting and waving encouragement back to all the runners. It was amazing, the cheers, the encouragement and the acceptance we experienced.

After 7 miles of pushing I turned the stroller over to Ryan. I think the stroller gave him momentum as he seemed to gain speed. I began feeling the race as I struggled to keep up with Ryan's pace. I offered up with greater intensity my gratitude to God for making this possible and the people that contributed and prayers for others. More and more racers passed as we tried to blend into the crowd. We rolled past crowds of supporters and cheerleaders into Camp Pendelton. Brendon kept up the "Good Jobs" with increased frequency. Ryan did a great job of allowing me opportunities to catch up. He and Brendon kept me in their sight and would stop to allow me to catch up as they knew finishing together was important to me. I think they both, especially Brendon wanted to speed up but I was grateful they kept me in their sights.

Finally the boardwalk, which would quickly lead to the finish line, came into view. Ryan began counting down the blocks (I'm not sure this was helping or hurting, it all seemed so far to me). For 13 blocks my boys offered encouragement, "GO MOMMY, YOU CAN DO IT MOMMY" spurred me on. Two blocks left and I reached for Brendon's hand as Ryan pushed on. I gathered the energy to sprint to the finish. Then STOP, WE DID IT! (I was impressed with Ryan's ability to come to a sudden stop with the stroller and he didn't run anyone over) We finished a distance of 13.1 miles in a very ordinary way, with a medal placed around Brendon's neck.

What next? I'm already planning our next event. Thank you to all who have shared in this journey with us and for your finances, prayers and continued supported.

"I will run with perseverance the race that is set before me."