So, we trooped down to Ottawa with all five kids on Saturday and a slightly under-the-weather mommy. (Under-the-weather and at-the-end-of-her-rope mommy is more like it.) But, we made it and I actually managed to snap two photos of my three runners at the 4.75 km mark. Can you see them? Dave is wearing the red shirt and grey shorts, Jacob has a maroon t-shirt and Hannah has a black t-shirt with the number 72 on it.
My eyes welled up with tears as I spotted Dave in the crowd of thousands. He had Jacob on one side and Hannah on the other and was holding their hands and coaxing the last kilometre out of their tired little bodies. I yelled out their names and he weaved through the crowd so that the twins could see me and their brothers. (By this point their youngest brother was cutting up in the stroller, Benjamin was complaining that he wasn't running and Joseph was lying on his back under the stroller. I had given up on all activities other than containing Isaac and Joseph and getting at least one picture of the twins in their first race.) Despite their flushed faces and sweaty hair they smiled big and took off toward the finish line.
I and the three youngest then rushed off to the other side of City Hall where we had agreed to meet them. This required some fancy footwork through thousands of people (this is a very big race) with our double stroller. I was briefly held up when the stroller decided to get into a scrap with a TV truck; thankfully two teenage boys came to the rescue and we pushed on against the crowd (and almost into the calves of an elite runner!). I finally made it to the meeting spot and sat down on a bench next to a middle-aged man who was putting on his shoes and preparing for the 10k. He smiled and asked about the kids. I mentioned that I was waiting for my older two and my husband. I got ready for the head count and the inevitable, "5 kids!!!" Instead, he said, "We have 6 kids." I then mentioned that we had come from Barry's Bay and he said that he and his wife receive spiritual direction from a priest at Madonna House. My eyes widened, "Which priest?" Of course his spiritual director is also my spiritual director. Out of the thousands of people at that race I had 'randomly' sat down next to a man who shares the same spiritual father.Ha! The Lord goes out of his way to show us that He is in charge - especially for mothers who are feeling sick and about ready to throw in the towel.
Buoyed by this experience, but still about ready to collapse, we headed home where we stopped at Harvey's for a quick supper.At this point I should mention that I have given up wheat (long story, great results, fodder for another post). So, I ate my salad and watched with envy as the rest of the family wolfed down hamburgers and chicken fingers. My mood worsened and I headed over to Mucho Burrito to see if they served corn tortillas - no such luck. By this point the rest of the family was waiting in the van for a tardy mother who was now worn out, hungry and starting to forget the Lord's intimate care for her.
As this mommy descended into a fouler mood she found herself on Hwy 417 with her husband at the wheel and her daughter in the passenger seat. Suddenly Dave began to motion at the car in the next lane. He then increased his speed to pull up parallel with the little gold sedan. Because (drum roll please) it was Fr. Galen! Long story short: we all pulled over and had a good chat with Ben's godfather.Moral of the story: I am cared for intimately by a good and loving God; He goes out of His way to let me know that He is in charge (especially when I feel like our life is all too much); and He even reminds me more than once and in extraordinary ways when I give into doubt.
Moralising aside: here are some gratuitous pics of the kids with their finishing medals. Oh, yes, they finished in around 34 minutes - pretty good for kids who have never run over 3 kilometres. Hannah said that Dave pulled her along as she was ready to quit at 2 kilometres. Jacob said that he made sure to smile at the medics so that they would know that he wasn't injured.
Somehow Joseph snagged a medal. (If you know Joseph this acquisition will not surprise you.) He also claimed with great authority that he would run the 3K (non-existent) later that evening which, according to his information, is specifically organised for three year old boys.
Isaac, because he was there too.
Hannah after swearing that she will never, ever run that distance again.
6 comments:
Elena, It's seldom that I read your postings without tearing up because of how beautiful (words and pictures) they are.
Boy, those twins look elated! Even Hannah. Good job, well done, congrats to Dad for doing this. Now those kids need some better shoes for the next race. I know Grandpa Nick will spring for those.
go twins and daddy! and wow, isaac resembles his youngest female cousin. wow. also, you need to come to texas. you would have no problem whatsoever finding corn tortillas.
Wow, I'm SO impressed by H & J for pulling off a 5K - and kudos to Dave for helping them through. What a dad.
Next time you guys are coming into the "big city" for something like this (especially if you're particularly worn out!), please let us know. We'd be happy to meet up with you and provide a little extra kid-help and adult company. (And provide a flourless chocolate cake for the wheat-free mama, of course.) :)
(Oh, also, all five of your kids are really adorable. Their smiles are spectacular.)
Awesome post. There is no question that God blesses you amidst the wonderful works you and Dave do for your family. What a family bonding moment! This will be a powerful memory for the kids. It's not about the excercise and the physical accomplishment, of course, it's about the moral accomplishment: you waiting on the kids for half and hour, amidst a crowd of thousands, Dave, running like a tortoise for 5kms hunched over, holding two hands, the kids pushing themselves to their limits! And each one of you was doing it 'for the family.' How lovely.
BTW, I can picture the exact spot where you stopped for supper. To me Harveys is a runner-up prize anyway, as AM won't let me eat at KFC :( I feel for ya with the no wheat thing.
Jaclyn, So you're back? Mom mentioned seeing you at mass and she said that you looked great. Actually, she said that out of all the ponytail wearers that she has ever met, you wear a ponytail the best! I agree.
We do need to get together. Maybe we can hook something up in the coming months.
Colin, Even though I felt pretty badly over the weekend I had the distinct feeling that that race was a very for-the-family moment - pivotal, actually. Funny the way in which we are called to lay down our lives - mostly just by feeling exhausted;) And, yes, Dave loves Harvey's although he claims that it is starting to lose its appeal after years of his wife's cooking;)
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