I’m going to come right out and say it: My family is awesome. Some of you might be rolling your eyes right now thinking this post is going to be some fake Beaver Cleaver nonsense. I can understand that: not everything about family is awesome. There are fights, misunderstandings, and other unpleasantness. Yet, since I started training for marathons and triathlons, and writing about this training on my blog, a series of events has reminded me of this simple idea: My family is awesome. Of course, my family was great before I started training, but pushing the limits of my body has taught and re-taught me valuable lessons in so many areas of my life. This is another one of those re-learned lessons.
Over the past year or two, I’ve felt like my family life has frayed. I’ve been missing people who were in my life, but have passed: my father, my Nana, my Aunt Nini, my Uncle Johnny, my Uncle Vince. I suppose I’ve been dwelling too much on the people who aren’t in my life anymore, rather than celebrating the ones who are. Well, this week, I realized that the questions and fears you pose to the universe come back around in new and inspiring forms. I sent out energy: missing “my family.” The universe sent back positive energy, reminding me how wonderful my many family members are.
Since I started writing my blog, I’ve begun to interact more regularly via email, facebook, and telephone with my family members. First, my Aunt Franny sent me an email, wishing me well in my training and racing goals. Then, I received an email from my cousin Robin a few weeks ago. In the note, she expressed an interest in coming to Ironman Lake Placid next year. While she won’t be able to attend because of a schedule conflict, I know she’ll be with me in spirit. My Uncle Danny has commented upon my various Facebook status updates about running. I love them for reaching out and connecting.
This week the universe decided to get serious, and sent a variety of signs all at once. Wednesday morning of this week, I woke up and went through my normal morning routine: feed the dogs, brush my teeth, grab a cup of coffee, sit down at the computer, check my email. In my inbox was an email from my Aunt Val, who told me she had been reading my blog. (Thanks!) She shared her experiences in returning to working out, and she said she might come to my race on October 4. To say I was touched would be an understatement. I read the email several times, and it choked me up. Her note offered connection, where in the past I thought I had lost that connection with family.
That night, my mom called and wanted to double check the date of the race. She works weekends, and needed to submit a request to have the day off. My mom is coming! When I rowed crew in high school, my parents came to almost every one of my races. I think they might have missed two minor races in four years. And, even though I was a cranky teenager at the time, I really did appreciate their presence. Even though I’m a grown woman, sometimes I still want my mommy. 🙂
Last night, my sister-in-law Tracy called to find out some details about the race. She wants to come, too. She had been talking with my aunt, and they wanted to coordinate their spectating. Yet more reminders of how my family is not frayed, despite my gloomy ruminations (usually constructed while on long training runs).
This morning, my cousin Paul called me to catch up. I haven’t talked to Paul for a while, but we’ve started to touch base through Facebook. The phone call this morning was the next step in our connection. He told me about some interesting classes he’s been taking, and then he shared words of encouragement for our training. I hung up the phone smiling.
This family support and connection means so much to me. To know they will be with me at the finish line (in person or in spirit makes no difference) will be a driving force pushing me to do my best. More than the races, though, what touches me the most about my family reading the blog or following my training is what that action symbolizes: care, connection and love. While we might not be able to see each other physically as much as we would like, this digital communication is helping us stay together, to share experiences even though we are not geographically proximate. So, the triathons and marathons are just one reason of the many we might invent to come together. Any other reason is just as good – like Christmas last year when we went to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s for dinner, or a summer time barbecue, or a graduation party, or maybe connecting without a specific reason. After all, do we need a reason to be with those we love?
