Life Lessons
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Running the Race: Hospital Edition
“I’m afraid you need heart surgery to repair your mitral valve. The leak is severe…” The words coming out of my cardiologist’s mouth floated in the air like thought bubbles over cartoon characters. My stomach dropped as an emotional rug was pulled from under me. Heart surgery? Me? But I don’t feel anything? What if I die? His face disappeared as a movie played right in front of my eyes of the half marathons, triathlons, bike rides and leisurely walks I’d taken throughout the years. “You have an appointment with the heart surgeon next week,” he said matter-of-factly. I had to sign up for a new kind of race, one…
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The Day my Run took an Unexpected Turn
“Remember to stay inside the neighborhood,” my husband warned me. “That main road is too isolated.” “But it’s my long run training day,” I responded. “The lady next door told me that if I take a right that road takes me into the neighborhood next to this one. It’s a loop that ends up right back here.” “We’re vacationing in the country, remember? What if you run into a wild animal, or a wild person out there?” he insisted. “Ok, ok,” I said. “Don’t worry!” I grabbed my phone and ran out the door before he could say anything else. The sunny skies and summer breeze welcomed me with a…
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Are you Ready to Play Ball?
“I got fired,” my friend sobbed. “I don’t know what to do. It was totally unexpected. I never thought it could happen to me!” She was barely holding it together. This new job seemed so promising. She had been excited and hopeful for months since she was offered the position in such a prestigious company. And just like that, two weeks into it, she was let go. “You’re not performing like we expected,” her supervisor said. “But it’s been less than two weeks! Give me a chance!” she begged unsuccessfully. What do you say to someone who’s been thrown a curve ball by life? How do you comfort someone who’s…
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Do you Know Where you’re Going?
“Follow the arrow, it will direct you to the exit door” the guide said. “You can return tomorrow when the power is restored.” My heart raced as I grabbed my husband’s arm and our little children clutched mine. We tried to follow the guide’s instructions, navigating our way through the darkness of the tunnel and the mute crowd around us. Suddenly, a light flickered up above, forming an arrow pointing to an exit door. After the longest fifteen minutes in my life, we found our way out into the morning sun in the crowded amusement park. Everyone in our group erupted in smiles and sighs of relief. “I thought we’d…
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Strange Coincidence or God’s Providence?
“Mom, come quickly! Robert’s mom needs help!” “But Johnny,” said Sarah, “I’ve never met her. We can’t just barge into her house uninvited.” “Her name is Ms. Mary and she’s hurt!” Sarah rushed out the door and followed her 10-year-old son, assuming he was exaggerating. For the past several months since the new family moved into the neighborhood, she planned to deliver them a cake to welcome them. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and she never did. Little Robert, who stood at the front door, directed them to the bedroom, were the woman lay on the floor. “Please help me!” she cried hysterically. “My husband wants to kill me!”…
