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{Straight From the Heart} *My Father's Hug* 6/21/00
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My Father's Hug
By Michelle Smith
It was the spring of my seventh grade, and spring meant one
thing to me: track season. Let's just say it was quite a while ago,
however I remember like it was yesterday. I can remember the
butterflies that wouldn't stop fluttering until I had crossed that
finish line, and the heat from the track as I would position myself
in the starting blocks. I loved (and still do) all sports, but most
of all, I loved the thrill of running to beat the clock. I always
thought of myself as a sprinter however there wasn't anybody on the
track team that was willing to run the one-mile race. The coach
decided that I would be a good candidate to run that race and I said
"Sure". I'm not someone who would say no to my coach, even though
everything in my body was saying "Are you crazy?!"
The track meet that I am taking you to would be the All-Conference
7th grade track meet, and I was entered in the one-mile and in the
100-meter dash; something that isn't done very often. You tend to be
sprinter or a long distance runner, but not both. I will be honest
and tell you that the 1600 was not my favorite and not one I excelled
at. The sprints (100, 200, & 400) were my favorite and ones that I
thought I was great at. My parents were always very supportive and on
that day, dad's encouraging words of, "You can do it", "I know you and
you always do great", and the ever famous, "Go get 'em!", helped ease
my nervousness that I tried so hard to get rid of. However, those
butterflies and the lump in my throat that felt like a softball, would
not go away. So I tightened up the laces on my running shoes and took
off to the starting line of what I thought was going to be the longest
mile in history. The race seemed to go on forever, and though I didn't
win, I did finish 4th and that was fine with me.
I now felt I could focus on the race that in my heart and mind I
thought I could win. Don't get me wrong, I tried and I didn't give
up on that mile race I ran as hard as I physically could. My legs
were not long distance legs. After the ¾ mile point they had begun
to tremble and ache for me to stop, but I did my best. After the race
my dad embraced me and said, "I knew you could do it" and to him it
was like I had won. However, I always wanted to make my parents proud
like all children do.
Now he said, "Go get 'em in the 100", and that is what I intended to
do. I heard "2nd call 100-meter dash final", then "Final call
100-meter dash final." Now the butterflies felt like they would fly
right out of my mouth. It was time to get set in my starting blocks.
The starter raised his arm pointing the gun to the light blue,
cloudless sky.
"On your mark ", a pause which felt like eternity, "Get set,"
Bang! I was out of the blocks as fast as my legs could go and I had
two things in sight. One being the bright yellow tape I had to cross
and the other being my parents waiting anxiously at the finish line.
I finished 1st. I did what I had to do, and kept my opponents behind
me all the way. I could hardly believe I was able to beat some of the
best sprinters in the conference. As soon as I broke the yellow tape,
I ran to my father's open arms. Well, I should say, I leaped right
into them and almost knocked him over. (I think I took him by
surprise). I can also picture the soft glowing smile my mother had on
her face and the tears in her eyes as she watched my dad and me
embracing. I can only imagine how it must have looked, a seventh
grader leaping into the arms of her dad. At that moment I didn't care
what it looked like. I wanted a hug from my dad. My dad whom I hold
so close to my heart. Yes, I did win a blue ribbon that said 1st
place 100-meter dash, but I have no idea where that ribbon is, or if
I even still have it. But as you can see, to this day, I remember
that hug from my dad, leaping into his arms like I was two again.
And I remember wanting to please my parents so that they would be
proud of me. I doubt he remembers... or maybe he does, because it
was special to him too. Regardless, he now knows how much it meant
to me, and how on that beautiful sunny day, we reached out to each
other to celebrate our love for one another.
My parents were at every athletic event I ever participated in, and
even some I didn't, because of a dislocated shoulder from 7th grade
through college. With hugs and words of encouragement, there were
always there cheering me on. Without those words and gestures I may
not be the person I am today. But none stand out as much as that big,
wonderful hug in seventh grade. I hope I am as supportive to my
children as mom and dad were for me. Well, actually I know I will
because I had a wonderful example.
Thanks for the memory Dad.
Michelle Smith
Shel1201@aol.com
Send Michelle and email and let her know what you thought of her story!
Copyright © 2000 by Michelle Smith, All rights reserved
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A little bit about Shelly:
I am a Physical Therapist Assistant who has put her career
on hold to be a stay at home mother. I wouldn't trade my job for
anything. I live in Northern Illinois with my husband, Scott who is
a firefighter for the City of Beloit. I have 2 beautiful children, a
boy, Zachary 2 1/2 and a girl, Taylor, that just turned 1. My family
is the most important thing in my life.
Here is my family web page.
Click here: http://hometown.aol.com/SHEL1201/index.html
http://members.aol.com/SHEL1201/index.html
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Requests:
From: Michael (Thunder27@aol.com)
I am asking for prayers for a young lady named Susan, who is is
about 9 weeks pregnant and is afraid of having a miscarriage due to
prior trouble conceiving and a history of miscarriages in the family.
I am asking that you lift her, her unborn child, and her family up in
prayer.
Thank you so much!
Michael
From: GalPalG321@aol.com (Jamie Meyer)
Hey there, my name is Jamie and I'm having some problems with my brother and
we have been fighting about every little thing. I really don't know what to
do. If anyone has any stories that might help me, please pass them along
because I need all the help I can get. Thanks.
Jamie Meyer
UPDATE:
From: BColon@hodgsonruss.com (Beth Colon)
Michael, I wanted to let everyone know that my cousin's son Danny had
successful surgery, the tumor was completely removed and was cancer
free. I know that this was truly a blessing from God and I thank Him
and everyone for all their prayers. Praise the Lord, for He is truly
good!
Beth
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Thought For The Day:
"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."
(Thomas Jefferson)
Verse for the Day:
"Provide things honest in the sight of all men."
Romans 12:17
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Why buy roses when daisies are free?"
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Toddlers are more likely to eat healthy food if they find it on the
floor."
(Jan Blaustone)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"George Washington's brother was the uncle of our country."
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business)
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
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Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html