By Kim Michael
It was the 1976 field and track event in Spokane, not the Special Olympics as has been erroneously reported by many since it happened, but that doesn’t diminish the value of this story. Nine physically and mentally challenged runners lined up to do the 100 yard dash that day. When the starting gun went off they all moved forward. They had all trained for months just for this one moment. They all wanted to win, more than anything. It was their way of saying to world I am valuable. I matter. And then the unimaginable happened, one little boy stumbled, took a couple of hard tumbles on the asphalt and landed face down, and began to cry.
Most of the other runners didn’t notice, yet two runners, a boy and a girl, stopped for a moment and looked back. They saw the little boy lying on the ground crying. Slowly they went back forgetting about the race, forgetting about all the months they had trained for this single moment, and forgetting all that it meant to them. To them, all they saw was one little boy who had failed, who was hurt and crying. They lifted him up and locking their arms with his, they carried him, all smiling as they walked cross the finish line together… dead last.
We are all put on this earth to do many things. Some are destined for greatness while others are merely here to do normal things greatly. What is noble and good in all of us is not a birthright. It comes from a generosity of spirit that puts the needs of others ahead of our own.
Sixty thousand people immediately came to their feet that day with deafening applause that went on for what seemed like hours. Many moved to tears, all experiencing a moment they would remember always. Those three runners had lost the race, but in so doing, had won the greatest race of all…the human race.
Few will ever remember those who won the race that day, and even fewer will know the courage it took for those physically and mentally challenged children to do as simple a thing as running a race, but none will ever forget the three runners who finished last… and maybe that’s what winning is really all about.
***
If you are seeing this content on the Web for the first time, please visit my website where there is much more waiting for you to discover:
Books, Original Music, Videos and More Amazing Blog Articles That Will Touch Your Soul.
I look forward to your visit!
https://kim-michael-author.com/
Kim Michael– “IN SEARCH OF WONDER”.
To Learn More About Kim Michael Visit “Interview With Kim Michael”
https://kim-michael-author.com/homepage/an-interview-with-kim-michael/
FOLLOW KIM MICHAEL AT:
