"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

That Guy and I were out on a run the other day, when out of the blue he says, "It's sad there are no memorable quotes from the TV show That Girl." I almost came to a complete stop. I never contemplated the idea that That Guy had a thing for That Girl. (Marlo Thomas for those of you not of our generation).

About 200 meters later I was recovered enough to reply, "not a single one?" He went on to describe other shows memorable quotes, "Meathead", "What you talkin bout Willis?"  "Mork calling Orson", "You look lovely today Mrs. Cleaver. Thank you Eddie." 

I wasn't sure what to make of this recent nostalgia conversation. We haven't been running long distances so it can't be fatigue hallucinations.  Eventually he asked if I had a favorite quote. I did, but it didn't come from a TV show. 

It is a quote from the late Senator Edward Kennedy, "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

The original quote, made at the 1980 Democrat Convention is a reflection of the work still to be done to achieve equality and opportunities for all persons. It is relevant in today's political environment and also my effort to remain a runner.

"The work goes on..." 

Our country is slipping backward in its stated mission, "All men are created equal.." We are seeing people losing their rights to express themselves, make decisions for themselves, being discriminated against because of who their parents are, who they love, whether they support the agenda of our President.

Every day is another in the pursuit of the goal of being a runner. Some days it's heading out the door to do a run/walk workout. Another day it's doing the strengthening exercises to keep me strong and balanced so I don't injure myself...again.

"...the cause endures..."

The striving for equal rights, has been ongoing since the founding of our country. The majority fear of the minority becoming an equal partner has been a constant throughout our history. What progress has been made appears to be slipping.

Running goals change over time. Once it was to be faster, then to be faster than a year ago, then to run marathons, now to continue running into my twilight years and beyond. 

"...the hope still lives..."

This experiment in democracy is fragile. It feels like it is at a tipping point. But also there are people of passion who are fighting to keep it alive and not surrender to the authoritarianism of the billionaire elite. 

Each day that I break into a run during my workout, I feel, or more likely remember, the effortlessness of running. The joy of play, the rhythm of left, right, repeat. I feel or remember my youth.

"...and the dream shall never die."

As long as we have compassion for others, believe in the Golden Rule, believe in equality, and stand up to tyrants the dream of a more perfect union can endure.

"To slow down as slowly as possible." Another favorite quote from Olympic marathon gold and silver medalist Frank Shorter. That is the dream, to run, not as fast or as far as possible, but for as long as possible. 

                           John Carlos,1968 Olympic                 Evelyn Lee at the start line

                           100m Silver Medalist

                                   

 

Don't you get board running?

In my younger years when  I ran marathons, I enjoyed the 2 hours plus training run.  Frankly, I miss marathon training, the long runs of solitude. I didn't get bored. It was a comforting time. That Guy would accompany me on those run. I don't think he appreciated them as much as I did. He would ask me, "What do you think about when you run?" Anything, everything was my reply.

It gave me time to think, ponder. 

I would think and listen to my body. I listen to what it is doing and how it is feeling. Am I comfortable, struggling, does my calf feel okay, is that pain in my foot something to be concerned about? All this and more as I take inventory of what my body is going through. 

That was the on going assessment of my body as I cover the miles of country roads. But once that was done, thinking, pondering took over. 

The rhythm of running is conducive to introspection, free-thinking. What are the issues I'm dealing with? Are there presentations to draft? Events to organize?

"Don't trust a thought arrived at sitting down." Words from the late running guru George Sheehan. 

Running provided me the time to think and problem solve. When I was on the city council, many of my arguments for or against an issue were summarized on a run. 

I think the summary of tonight is more running so people make better decisions. I wonder what our country would be if qualifying for the Olympic track and field team put you in Congress rather than those who receive money from corporate lobbyists. 

Things that make you ponder. Movement is good for clarity. 

 

2024 reflections

A couple of things, one a new year's expectation, two something I wrote a few months ago but decided to share.

1. 3 things for 2025:
- As the new USATF Oregon Youth Committee chair, organize and
execute a successful 4 day, Jr Olympic Championship meet.
- Get back to regular, injury free running.
- Continue to keep those I love, from 3 - 80s, as my purpose.

2. from a few months ago:
Reflections on a family situation:
This is an evening where a glass of bourbon...ok a couple of glasses...have kept me awake. It's an evening to think and reflect.

The reflections are of family who live 1000s of miles away. Challenges I never imagined I'd have to address. Thankful for family who have been supportive of difficult decisions.

Someday I may not have the ability to comprehend my present. Dementia is a cruel disease. No, I'm not talking about myself, I'm working with a loved one who does. It's so hard to watch this disease slowly transform someone you love. It's so not fair.

Patience is essential. I fail at times. I'm sorry. My priority and my purpose is to see that you are safe and in a healthy environment. To you, it may not seem so. You get angry but later don't remember. I remind myself it's not personal. It's the fucking disease.

I write this as my therapy, not for sympathy or encouragement. We post the joys in our lives but not so much our heartache.

Be kind. Even to those who have different opinions and to those who come seeking a better life. Most of us are fortunate in our circumstances, but it only takes a moment, a circumstance we don't control or a disease to change that. We are all God's creatures. Love all of them.

Prevention

 Prevention, isn't that what exercise, good nutrition are about? That Guy and I run, swim, lift, eat our veggies so that our bodies stay strong. It costs much less to stay healthy than to pay for fixing our body because we didn't nourish it. It costs so much less to buy running shoes, to buy healthy food, to have a gym membership as opposed to paying for medications, by pass surgeries, in-home health care. 

Our world is much like our bodies. It costs so much less to bring healthy and life saving supports to countries and people who wouldn't otherwise have access. Providing life sustaining medicines and food, education not only improves lives, it prevents forces who would like to see our country destroyed from taking hold of vulnerable people. 

The short term visionary, only sees what they are not getting, even when it is a drop in the bucket for what they already have, when improving the lives of others costs multiples less than the handouts given to companies making record profits.   

Yes, there are needs here. But rather than take from the less fortunate, let's give less to the ones who already greedily take more and more for themselves? 

While out on a run, That Guy asked me if I was a Christian. I had to think on that. I'm a Christian who believes in helping those less fortunate, no matter their birth parents or birth location. I'm a Christian who believes a person who does not see the wrong in making fun a person with a disability, who treats woman as objects, who lies and blames, is not a leader for my faith. I'm a Christian who believes my God loves all people, accepts all people no matter how they worship. I'm a Christian who believes we don't know that God created only two sexes in humans when They created multiple sexes in other creatures. I believe that the God I believe in loves all people and does not condemn them for who they are and who they love. I'm a Christian who knows the Bible, Koran, etc. are books of stories passed down from male to male over centuries for the purpose, I believe, to maintain their power. I believe the word of God is not a centuries old game of written Telephone, but rather it is the spoken kindness and assistance given to those in need, no matter their color, ethnicity, identity, faith, homeland.

Yes, I'm a Christian, because I believe we each are a reflection of God and should be treated as we would like others to treat us.

Prevention, if I were in need I hope someone would assist me so I could pass that assistance forward.