Spencer Park Reflections

I just returned from my last Metro Conference cross country race. Oh, sure there will be other races I will attend but not as a proud parent of a great son who also happens to be a runner. In my twenty-three years of teaching I never understood why parents returned to events after their children graduated.

Now I know.

Freshman year: underclassmen, anxiety, fun, quiz bowl...

Wink.

Senior year: Homecoming, ACT tests, college visits, applications, graduation pictures

This Metro Conference race was especially unique. Aaron started circling the pond at Spencer Park eight years ago. Eight years ago. I don't even like the sound of that. It jangles the nerves. I want to be Aaron's dad cheering him on at every cross country race, every year...without end. That's not going to happen but the memories are cherished forever:

• Horizontal rain and impeccable grass that was more like a giant water sponge than a golf course - Regional race 2006
• Missing the state championships by three points - Regional 2004
• Placing second at the Regional race - 2005
• Almost convincing the coach that one of his runners tipped over the vending machine while spending the night at the hotel before the state championship race - 2005
• Second Team All Conference - 2004
• Shin splints, ice, shin splints, ice, repeat
• Early morning runs during summer vacation when it would have been easier to sleep in
• Second Team All Conference 2005
• Piles of discarded foot soldiers
• PRs & PBs
• Macomb County Champions 2007
• Goals achieved
• Spaghetti the night before every race
• Second Team All Conference 2006
• Metro Conference All Academic Team
• Second Team All Conference 2007
• First Team All World-All Life- All-Everything in the All Parent Conference
• NO pink hoodie purchase!
• Photos, captions and name misprints in The Macomb Daily
• ...and yet without an ending there is no time for reflection. Reflection offers points in time to gauge growth. It also assures me the future will be just as rewarding as the past has been.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

-Hebrews 12:1-2