There are few things as threatening to a teenager as sliding into starting blocks and racing full speed toward hurdles towering in front of you. My own vivid high school memories sparked recent interest in Lolo Jones’ gold medal quest. She was the 100 meter hurdle favorite and running the race of her life.
Jones had her share of difficulties. She lived with her four siblings and a single mother in a Des Moines Salvation Army basement while her estranged father drifted in and out of jail. Her’s was a “how-can-you-not-root for her” story at the Olympics.
“Sometimes I think we get tested to see what we’ll do,” said Lori Jones. Lolo’s mother watched tearfully during the semifinals and said just before the final, “We’ve definitely been under a big test as a family.”
She cheered as Jones roared toward the medal podium with two hurdles remaining. Suddenly, a mistake on hurdle nine and celebration turned to stunned silence.
The mistake was painful for a girl who attended eight schools and lived with three families in high school as her single mother bounced between states. Even so, she had stuck with track after failing to make the 2004 Olympic team while living on Ramen noodles and no air conditioning in Louisiana heat. All to chase this dream.
As I watched Lolo grieve on the track, I cried with her. I quietly hoped she would try again. Stories like this inspire all of us to overcome. But the endless string of glitzy reporters and their sensationalized stories of grief and joy began to feel hollow and overplayed. I was left pondering, “So is this the sum of a person’s life?”
Over the weekend I was provoked further by the video “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It begins with Freeman pondering the many ways people assess “the sum of their life”. He shared that some measure it by:
- What they leave behind
- Their faith
- Love
Still others believe that there is no meaning at all.
However, Morgan believed that we should, “Measure ourselves by the number of people who measure themselves by us.” An interesting thought, but again rather self absorbed it seems.
So, what do you believe defines “the sum of a person’s life? “
I just lost my father to a three year illness on August 15. The sum of his life? You could feel it in the air at his visitation Friday night. There was a positivity that prevailed. An upbeat mood that WAS my dad’s mode in life and it was exponentially expressed through relationships. Those who gathered came not in sorrow but in celebration of his optimism and spirit.
His wife, all four of his children, their children and many friends… these relationships are not merely the “sum” of his life, but rather the “multiple” of how those people were impacted by one person. Each one knew the same man, but they each had a unique relationship…and when these are multiplied together (not added) you will find the measure of a life well lived.
Read more about Grant McBroom at http://evanmcbroom.typepad.com/evan_mcbroom_the_other/2008/08/things-i-learned-from-my-dad—part-iii.html
mmmmm…Lay up your treasure in heaven. Meaning the only things that really sum up our lives if we are Christians are things we’ve done for the kingdom. Things beyond ourselves, things that we don’t even know have an impact until we are in heaven and God can show us how a selfless life impacted a generatoion and then another after that.
I can’t wait and nothing is more motivating.
Ann
I to watched in dismay as Lolo stumbled after hitting the hurdle. The thousands and thousands of hours spent alone on the track running hurdle after hurdle perfecting the run. Then, within a few meters of winning Gold, best in the world, Olympic chanpion, a fraction of an inch changed the expected outcome.
I watched with interest because of my personal high school journey, a few years ago, well more like 36 – ouch, with records in the 180 yard low hurdles and 110 yard high hurdles. Records long since broken and only remembered by one individual.
Remebered not because of the record but by the character developed through work, perseverence, motivation, and attempting things beyond yourself.
Our life journey and experineces strengthen whether in honor, dishonor, difficulties, joys, trials, triumphs, prayer, or temptation. “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)
Lola’s eyes are forward to London in 2012. What strength, what stamina. Thanks Ed, for provoking and challenging our thoughts.
I ask myself, “Am I using the gifts that God has given me, to fulfill the assignment that He has for me.”
That’s how I measure my life.
At the end, I would like God and my family to say, “yes he did, he was a good and faithful servent”.
I like Lola’s response. That is a response of a winner. When something knocks you down, you get up and look forward.
“There is no victory, without a battle.”
Thanks Evan for such a wonderful story. I pray my kids can say something as wonderful. I like your thoughts about saying you’re sorry as well as the positive attitude about failure.
It’s all really healthy stuff and paints a clear picture of why you’ve become what you have.
You’ve blessed us who have had the opportunity to connect with you.
Ed
Ann’s,
That discovery will be special when we get to heaven for sure. Thanks for reminding us that eternity is our purpose and we are pilgrims here with a mission to love others as we pass through.
Dad
Steve,
Another hurdler….I didn’t know. Yea, they stretched that 180 low hurdle race out to a 300…imagine. And those highs were almost poetic art when you got your steps and form clicking.
I really valued the discipline and team aspects that athletics taught me as well. I still like the smell of locker rooms, imagine.
I like your II Sam verse. It all strengthens. My youngest son broke his arm yesterday in a soccer game. Today is his fourth surgery in five years. I’ll remind him it all strengthens us.
ed
Tyrone,
Thanks for the thoughts regarding using our gifts. God’s really worked on me about that one as well. I often think of the parables of the talents and my responsibility to multiply.
I long for that comment too…well done my good and faithfull servant.
ed
I wish I had faith like some of your commenters, I am tired and see no light at the end of the tunnel. It seems since I was born I had a black cloud over my head. every night i ask god, what does he want me to do, uit I have yet to recieve an answer, I recently had a ploygraph test to be a CBP officer, but I failed, i waited for 2 years for a position to open up, when i went into the room, I ask god to steady my nerves and my thoughts so I can focus on the questions, I begin to panic when i did not have the answers for the examiner, and from there it went downhill. Where was the god I pray to every night. I am becoming a pesimist about god exsistence I do not want to, but he let me down so much in my life. how do a become a optimist again?
Joe,
None of us can work through our valleys alone. Do you have friends to think through your challenges?
Proverbs teaches in a multitude of councilors there is safety. Please find some friends or family to help you make sense of it. Life is never as euphoric or as bleak as it may seem at any given moment. The sun will shine again.
Ed