This past Sunday our family ran in the Seattle Jingle Bell Run to benefit arthritis. We have done this race for four years now and each year we decorate the stroller to look like Santa’s sleigh and all dress up. Suzy and I go as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and the boys dress as reindeer.
This year Rex decided he was old enough to run himself and didn’t need the stroller. The race is a 5k and Rex is only 2 yrs old but we let him have at it. This was actually his second 5k this year. Last night I was talking to a good friend of mine about the experience.
Rex is an active boy and he loves to run so it was no suprise to us that he wanted to do this on his own. It is so fun to watch him because he has so much fun. He had on a snowsuit and then his costume on top of it so he looked liked that kid on A Christmas Story, if you remember that Christmas classic movie. Rex looked like a little ball going down the road.
He would walk, run, wave at the spectators and other races but he was really having fun. As we hit the 2 mile mark we realized there weren’t very many people around us. In fact, we noticed a police car with flashing lights right behind us. Of the thousands of people, we were pretty much dead last.
As we rounded the last turn we saw the finish line in front of us. Little Rex or “Kid Rex” as he likes to be called since he has informed me he is not a baby anymore, saw the finish and ran the last two blocks as fast as he could. He zigged and zagged all over the road and made sure that he took time to wave at people cheering for him. As I followed behind him pushing our “sled” with his brother, I cheered for him like he did for me numerous times this summer at triathlons.
It was so fun to yell “Go Rex Go!” and see him respond with such joy. When we crossed the line we gave him a high five and told him good job. He was so proud and loves the feeling of running across the finish line. At the age of two Rex is already learning that it is fun to finish what you start.
The race took us almost 2 hours with all of the pit stops and waiting for Rex to explore his surroundings, but we finished. Once again I am reminded that it isn’t always about finishing the fastest, but finishing. The cool thing is that Rex is learning to enjoy exercising and he is learning the importance of finishing the race set before us.
As a very competitve person I am learning from Rex too. I am learning that it is alright to enjoy the journey and take in your surroundings. I am learning that being active as a family and enjoying these moments is more precious than getting to the finish as fast as possible.
This weekend, it really hit home that regardless of your age, it is important to get to that finish line no matter how long it takes or how many pitstops you need to take. I also learned that my son is wise beyond his two years! (A little fatherly bragging)
#1 by Cindy Riley - December 16th, 2009 at 17:47
This is an adorable story. Thanks for sharing
#2 by Tammy - December 16th, 2009 at 18:09
I have been lucky enough to be there and watch you and Suzie in your journeys. I was so excited to see you engaged and married and then mother and father. It is so nice to see that you are enjoying this part of your life and learning from it too. We can all learn a thing or two from our children, regardless of their age. I’m proud of Rex for completing the race on his own. What a proud dad you must be! Congratulations on raising a smart boy!
#3 by Debi - December 17th, 2009 at 13:25
As I read this, I couldn’t help but see it as a picture that parallels your own relationship with God, as your Heavenly Father. He takes great joy in you, simply because you’re His son. You stumble, you get back up, you keep going, you press on toward the finish line and you bring Him great joy – just because you’re you. I’d encourage you to re-read this post with that in mind. He ENJOYS you, Matt. Let this revelation sink into your heart and I think you’ll find new strength and encouragment to press forward. Blessings!
#4 by Susan - December 18th, 2009 at 23:58
I am so familiar with how it isn’t always about getting there the fastest but about bringing joy to those along the way. Having walked in a couple of breast cancer 3 day walks I have noticed that there are those who just want to get the daily mileage done as quickly as possible and those of us, who even though we take a lot longer, really enjoy waving at people,talking to the other walkers to find out why the cause is important to them and enjoying the blessing of our amazing environment here in Seattle.
I have come to realize that my life is like that too. God wants us to enjoy every minute and make the most out of our days,not just get there( jobs,the highway,money in our accounts,etc). I am so proud of you all for doing that run. It was cold that day. Your boys are very blessed to have parents like you and Suzy.