Thank You To All My Teachers

This past Saturday at church it was mentioned that Catechetical Sunday would be celebrated the following day. I had never heard of this before, but was informed that it is a day where all catechists (teachers) within the church parish are honored for their service to the ministry of the Word. While Catechetical Sunday recognizes teachers within the church, it was suggested during the service that everyone also take time to remember any person in their life who has served as a teacher to them in any way.  

I instantly started building a mental list of all the people who have taught me something valuable. Before I knew it, I had to start writing them down because there was simply too many to keep track of. The following list includes some of my most memorable “teachers.” Among them are family members, friends, acquaintances, past school instructors and even an animal or two. Without these people I would never have survived this far in life and grown into the person I am today. I’m sure I missed some people and could never credit every single thing they each taught me, but I tried to highlight the best parts of the best teachers I could’ve asked for. 

My Best Friend, Jamie: You’ve taught me to always go after what I want and never give up on my dreams. You taught me what being a loyal friend is all about and that laughter truly is the best medicine….especially if it involves laughing at yourself. 

Hugh Ambrose: You gave me my first job out of college and taught me that I should never be afraid to put myself out there because you never know what opportunities might arise or who will be willing to give you a chance.

My favorite little kiddo, Camille: You taught me that sometimes the greatest source of happiness can be found in the simplest of things… like blowing bubbles.

My dog, Gracie Lou: You taught me that the keys to life are to live simply, speak loudly, take long naps, and eat heartily.

My college professor, Loren Graham: As evident by your office door eternally covered in rejection letters, you taught me to never let rejection diminish faith in myself or my courage to try again.

My college professor, Ron Stottlemyer: You told me once that, “If you want to be a poet, you need to be a perpetual beginner.”

My college professor, Lorna Milne:  You said that “If you are passionate about something, write about it right then.” My senior honor’s thesis was only possible by following this advice.

My friend, Sonny: You taught me that, even after 7 years, it is never too late to apologize and admit that you wronged someone. In doing so, you also taught me that one should never lose hope in gaining forgiveness. 

Stacy: You taught me that some mistakes are simply unforgivable in this life, but that should never stop a person from trying to make amends anyhow. And knowing that you tried your very best to set things right makes bearing the crosses that some will shoulder you with far easier.
  

My friend, Michaela: You taught me that something as terrible seeming as two friends getting braces in their mid-20s is still cause for a party and cupcakes. You’ve always showed me how to look for the positive in every situation.  

My boyfriend, Andy: You taught me that even the most impossible of friendships can be formed when you love someone enough. You taught me how to drop everything and lend a hand when someone is in need. You’ve always shown me how to maintain a piece of childish silliness. That when an opportunity doesn’t arise to go and make a better one on my own. You showed me the value behind a firm handshake. And you are one of the few men who has always convinced me that I can do and ride all of the same things as a guy.

My Grandpa, Ray: You taught me that taking long, aimless drives really is soothing to the soul. That you are never too old to continue doing the activities you’ve always loved. And that hamburgers truly are the one food item you can never go wrong with eating.

My Grandma, Noma: You taught me the value of devotion, both to family and friends and to one’s faith. And you taught me the importance of preserving family heirlooms and keepsakes as they hold the keys to who you are and where you came from.   

My dance teacher, Beth: You taught me the importance of loving one’s body just as God made it. You showed me how to speak from the heart and live my life the way I choose without concern over what the rest of the world thinks. You taught me the importance of faith and showed me how to live according to that faith each day. And most importantly, you taught me that I need to find what I love to do and then find a way to do something good with it. 

My friend, Chris: You taught me how to be a patient and non-judgmental confidant to a friend in need.  

My Mom, Susie: You taught me how to be a person of compassion that shows kindness to anyone in need. You taught me how to be a lady, even though I’ve often fought against it. You taught me how to always support people, even when you don’t understand the reasoning behind an action or belief. That I should never take any crap from anyone…least of all a guy. And you raised me to think for myself and to choose my own path in life. 

My Dad, Glenn: You taught me that that 4 main keys to success in life are to love what you do, work your ass off, don’t spend money before you make it, and be a kiss ass. You taught me humility and to never flaunt who you are or how much you own. How to be driven and go after your dreams with everything you’ve got.  You taught me confidence and that anything I want to do and be is possible if I first believe it. And you raised me to always be true to who I am and never worry about what the world might really think of me. 

My friend, Joey. You taught me that whatever God leads me to, He will lead me through…I still repeat this to myself on a daily basis. You taught me that no matter how busy you are, it is always possible to make time for the people who matter to you. That given enough space and time, people will always amaze you. You taught me how to love unconditionally. You taught me patience and the real reasons to pray. And you taught me that what I thought was a mere interest, is actually what I am meant to spend my life doing. 

I am eternally grateful to each of you!

Mismatched Genetics

One week ago today I lined my bike up on the start line at Last Chance Raceway for the very first time. My dad grew up racing bikes out there and he's got a pile of trophies in his garage to prove that he was better than most that raced. I grew up watching him with anxiousness and wonder from the sidelines as he whizzed by me in a cloud of dirt and exhaust.

I always longed to feel that same rush of adrenaline at the track and continue the Middlestead racing legacy. Last Sunday I finally got my chance. My dad and I tag teamed it in the annual 4 hour marathon ride.

The fact that I am a girl, made it that much more fulfilling.

As I was walking back from signing up for the race with my dad, we passed one of my dad's friends. He chuckled when he saw me and asked me how it was that my dad finally roped me into participating in his two passions: motocross and hockey. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. Walking away, he said that it must just be my "mismatched genetics."

Mismatched genetics. It's an interesting term that no one has ever used to refer to me by before. But the funny thing is, I took it as a compliment.

Standing out on the start line and glancing around at all of the other riders, I felt utterly terrified. But I was also proud to be one of the few women racing that day. There were a lot of girls out there, but most were standing by their boyfriend/husband's side supporting them and wishing them good luck. I was one of the rare women brave enough to enter into a male-dominated sport and race that day.

The race was brutally long, the track slick and challenging, and the temperatures outside steadily climbed with each lap. There were moments I didn't think I would make it. And it only took a few laps to realize that I had entered something that was slightly over my head. But I knew I couldn't quit.

One of the most gratifying moments for me was rounding a sharp corner one lap and seeing a fellow female rider helping another girl dig her bike out from a deep rut on a hillside. That rut had been tripping up riders the whole afternoon, including myself. I took comfort in their struggle, knowing that I too was in the same battle. I took even greater comfort watching two women help assist each other in an activity that is unfathomable for most women. The three of us were out there that day breaking down barriers. We were riding testaments to the perseverance and will of women.

My dad and I took turns riding laps around the track. When my dad rode in to the pit area in the final 15 minutes of the race, I knew that I would be racing the final lap. After one final hard crash and sporting some terribly crooked handlebars, I cleared the checkered flag and finished my first race at the track.

Riding back to the truck that day to change, I kept thinking about my "mismatched genetics," and how they have truly been responsible for all of the great accomplishments of my life. For me, being a typical girly girl has never been good enough. I've somehow always known I was capable of more.  And while the term "mismatched genetics" seemed somewhat strange, I realized tonight that it, in fact, merely echoes my personal brand I've come to identify with. See the "girly" side of me that people expect and is considered normal is my GRACE. But the side of me willing to try racing dirt bikes, hill climb on sleds, and pitch slap shots into a hockey net is my GRIT. And if that's mismatched genetics......well, all I can say is that I'm damn proud of them!

The Strength of Desire

Before today, I had never heard of Diana Nyad. But after today, I will never forget her. On Monday, September 2^nd, Nyad became the first person to swim the 110 miles from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. To top that off, it was her 5^th attempt to do so and she finally accomplished it at the ripe age of 64 years old. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!

I read through several articles on her today, and became more and more inspired with each one. People said that she had her whole heart set on completing the swim and that, for her, there was a higher calling in it. The sheer strength of her desire to complete the swim is what ultimately enabled her to transcend the pain and push through until the end.

But finding out that she had already attempted the swim 4 times prior told me all I needed to know about her. That and the fact that even into her 60s she kept the dream alive and pushed for one more go at it.

While I have never attempted a physical feat of that magnitude, my long-distance bike rides make be certain that I understand part of Nyad’s drive. There were always moments for me on my rides when I wanted to quit. The pain in my back and legs got so bad that to push onward seemed dangerous and foolish. But those were the moments that I knew most people would’ve given up. And I wanted to rise above the majority and push my body farther than was comfortable or sane. In the back of my mind, I think I always knew I would make it. If I hadn’t, I don’t believe I ever would’ve had the guts to begin the rides in the first place.   

For Nyad, her 4 prior attempts should’ve convinced her body that it simply couldn’t be done. And during her 5^th try, I’m sure there came a point where her body just didn’t have anything left in it. But that’s the moment where her mind and inner desire took control and pushed her through until the end. I don’t believe any such acts get accomplished by one’s body alone. At the end of all feats of endurance, I believe the mind is what brings you to the finish line. Your body is merely along for the ride by that time.

In reading about Nyad, I couldn’t help but think back to Charlotte Sanddal, a woman I interviewed for an article earlier this year. At the age of 91, Charlotte is still competing in national and world swimming competitions. At the time of my interview, she was training for a competition being held in Italy on August 2--11. She too inspired me beyond words.

No matter the barriers, whether distance, age, past failures, or skepticism, humans have always proved that they have the capacity to accomplish amazing things. You simply have to want them bad enough. I truly believe that everyone is capable of such accomplishments, but not everyone is willing to tap into their inner most desires where the strength and courage to do them is derived. If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen. Diana and Charlotte are living testaments to that.