Through my senior year of high school track I had a nagging pain in my foot. But the pain would go away after I started running so I ignored it. Until I couldn't anymore. I ran the state qualifier meet, finished my race, and when I stepped off the track, I couldn't walk on that foot anymore. A visit to the doctor the next day confirmed that I had had a stress fracture in my foot all season that broke completely when I ran the last race. Adrenaline had gotten me through but could get me no farther. The doctor, though kind, was also a practical man who knew that if he let me leave the office without a cast, that I would attempt to run on that foot again at state. So he cut the leg of the jeans I was wearing (the first thing of many that brought tears to my eyes that day) and put on a cast then and there. I would be in a cast and on crutches for at least 3 months. I was heartbroken for a number of reasons. I had one more race in high school that I wasn't going to be able to run. My graduation was two weeks away. And it was two days until my senior prom.
I cried a lot. I am ashamed to admit that I wanted to sit at home and not go out until I could walk on two feet. Enter mom. Moms have the sometimes unpleasant job of telling us what we need to hear, however unwilling the listener. After letting me wallow for a while, she insisted that I go out and get my nails done and get myself ready for the prom. She even made bows to adorn my crutches that matched my dress. I owed it to my date to be pleasant and have fun, she said. So reluctantly at first, I went. But you know what? In the end, she was right. It was a memorable prom and I had a wonderful time.
Here is what I needed to learn. When unexpected and bad things happen--and they will-- it is okay to cry for a minute, but then you have to pick yourself up, carry on, and make the best of things. So thanks mom, for teaching me how to keep running, even on crutches.
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