Monday, September 21, 2015

Parenting 101 for Me

            


          I have always desired a family of my own.  Then I became a teacher and those plans changed.  Haha! Just kidding, but being a classroom teacher at the elementary school level teaches you that when you are responsible for a child—or multiple children, there are certain stressors present daily that only young children can bring to the table.  I have always loved working with children. I love being around them. I love the way they think and view the world, and I love being a part of when they learn something new. There are only phrases that children can come up with and a sense of humor they possess that has an entirely new meaning after riding in a car for only a few minutes.  This past week, I learned the meaning of the word “parent”, and have an entirely new respect for what they have to do every day on multiple levels.  I still want a family of my own.  But, I now understand that the most rewarding job—most difficult job—in THIS ENTIRE WORLD is parenting and raising a child. I am talking super-hero status, people!
            Circumstances in life and the opportunity to continue to serve as a member of the staff at RunningWorks presented a unique eye-opening experience for me this past week.  I am a temporary “Dad” of sorts.  Three out of the last four nights I have had the opportunity to help two children under the age of six live life on life’s terms.  Teaching school has its routine and structured plan for the day, but home life is a whole other story.  Starting the day, getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating breakfast, getting to the car has a whole new meaning.  Ending the day with structure, a healthy meal at the same time, bedtime, bath-time and stories is paramount. It is so interesting and mind-boggling how much support and love children need every single minute of the day.  And the funny thing is that these particular children are easy.  They are happy, they are polite, they love “Uncle Matt”, and they are just down right remarkable.  I wish I could explain the feeling I get from just being around them.
            Doing what I do on a daily basis is cool and all, but caring for these children has really taught me that there is so much more to life than my schedule and my agenda. I am so thankful to In the Arena and its call for me as an athlete to actually “get in the arena” with young people.  
"In the Arena" plus RunningWorks missions mixed in uptown Charlotte
          RunningWorks goes far beyond its mission statement and the generalization surrounding the nature of its “running” programs. This organization has fueled an opportunity for me to be on the front lines helping people of all ages who have needs of the highest priority—needs that can change lives permanently forever if direct action is taken.  Have you ever truly helped someone who was in dire straights whose life may go north or south depending on what you do? I am not trying to say that I need to win the Nobel Peace Prize here or anything, but I do truly get now what it means to actually help someone.  It is uncomfortable. It is stressful.  It makes you ask questions and think in ways I never would have in my own little world. It has caused me to make sacrifices I never thought I could or would make. If you had asked me one year ago if this is what I would be doing to serve others today, I can promise you my answer would be in the negative; however, there is nothing I would rather be doing. It is not all about me, and I am so looking forward to applying what I have learned in this interim to my racing.
            I can honestly say that I am a different person today than I was yesterday. I have tried to live my life like that for so long—always trying to be better tomorrow than I was today. I have always loved teaching and realized from the beginning of my teaching career that my students were teaching me way more than I was teaching them, and here I am at home saying the same thing! So today, I am thankful for my parents, thankful for RunningWorks, and thankful for the time I’ve given to actually really help someone the in the direst of straits. Fight the good fight for someone else today—I promise you won’t regret it. Onwards and Upwards.
           


No comments:

Post a Comment