The Power of Being There...

I had a unique experience this last Wednesday. I watched a baby being delivered in an airport in Chicago. I was traveling from Dallas to Chicago and happened to sit next to a man in his late forties or early fifties who was holding a 6 month-old baby girl. The woman traveling with him looked old enough to be his wife, but she turned out to be his mother-in-law. Soon everyone sitting near them was fawning over the baby. He then began to tell the story of how he came to be flying that day.
He was on his way home to Chicago from Guatemala. He and his mother-in-law had just picked up this precious, almond-eyed, baby girl as his new adopted daughter. His wife is afraid to fly so his mother-in-law volunteered to make the trip with him. He let us know that he had grown children from a previous marriage and he and his new wife wanted a child together but could not conceive. They decided to adopt and wanted to help a child from another country have a shot at a better life here in America. We also learned that mom-to-be had never seen this baby girl (who's name is Costanza) and she would be waiting for them when the plane arrived.
I don't know how it happened—I believe I know why it happened but I will discuss that in a moment—but everyone sitting near them on that plane decided they had to see this moment when mother and child would embrace for the first time. It was as if 50 people were being invited into the delivery room (without all the bad stuff).
As we disembarked from the plane we formed this natural wake behind the dad and daughter, trailing along, no one wanting to pass in front. We all became invested in this anticipated moment. As the airport corridors twisted and turned we began offering directions and guidance to the fastest way to where mom would be waiting. Our collective paces quicken with each stride.
Then it happened. Mother saw her daughter for the first time. At that moment it was as if a bubble formed over our group and the family. The noises of the airport faded into the background, the colors of the airport blended together into a mosaic blur, and all that was in focus was a mother embracing her daughter for the first time. The only clear sounds were joyful tears (mom’s and ours).
Looking back on this moment I have come to realize it was a moment I personally could not have passed up. I had the chance to hurry past and get my bags and get to the hotel but something inside of me was saying slow down, witness this, feel this, participate in something good. A mother's first embrace of child only occurs once in a lifetime. A gentle voice inside of me said, "Just be there."
What does this have to do with running? Well, you may have decided to run your first race (5K to Marathon) and may be bashful about telling people your goals or having others come experience it with you. Don't be. Let them come and cheer you on. It doesn't matter how fast or how slow you run. What matters is something special happens when you get out of your comfort zone and share it with others, everyone gets blessed.
There have been many mornings I have sneaked out of my house to run a race and didn't bother to wake anyone. I even ran my first marathon with no one waiting for me at the finish. I regret that now. There are people in our lives who may not run but would love the chance to "just be there." I encourage each of you to include others in your running endeavors. Let them come, let them cheer for you, let them share.
And, make sure, at some point, you are there for someone else who may be running or walking. I have had the chance to train and run a marathon with one of my best friends. I had more joy and tears over him finishing than me. That same friend was there for me at the finish of another marathon that I ran. There is something special and encouraging about sharing these events with others.
Costanza's parents will never know the impact of letting us share that brief but powerful moment of family unity. I feel fortunate to have been there. It really solidified in me how important it is to “be there” to live in the moment, to slow down and be engaged and present for others when the opportunities arise. It has the potential to change you forever.

Finish Strong,
Coach Bill