Youth Leadership Camps Canada

Stayed at my mom’s last night. There is a certain comfort when you arrive back at the home that you grew up in. I recognized the smell and the feel. My mom has made many, many changes to the house, but in the end it’s still “home”.

As part of the 22 day challenge (let’s hear it for day 16!), I run for six days and have one day of recovery. So this morning I had to run, but this would be another challenge for me because I have only run my run, my 5 km around our property. I was so nervous. The night before I mapped out the circuit by driving in my car until I found a 5 km route. When I awoke this morning (on time… 4:39am) I did my morning holy hour and then got ready for the run. Tightening up my running shoes I ventured out of the house. It was a beautiful morning, perfect temperature, a light rain was still falling after the mighty storm that carried through most of the night. I ran and I ran, 1 km then 2, 3, 4 and finally the 5th. The thing was I was still full of energy, still ready to run some more. So I went around my old street to the circle (it’s a court) and instantly remembered great games of hide and seek, kick the can, tag, king of the castle in the winter. As I ran by, I could here the laughter, the kids darting around, screams of pure joy. I could see all my friends… John, Chris, Anita, Lori, Derek, Brian, Pete and my brother. They were there, clear as it was 30 years ago.

I continued across the road and did a lap around my old elementary school, still the same. I saw the place I won at marbles (a game long lost now), where we played 21, soccer and handball. I ran by where I had my first kiss, the time I tried a cigarette, that spot I was married for the first time… Darlene where are you? I slowed down at that exact spot that Kieth punched me… the same place where I got right back up and tried to fight back.

I ran back to my mom’s home, my home. I ran up the steps top speed, just like I did when I was eight years old. When I got to the door I saw my face in the reflection of the window. I wasn’t eight I was thirty eight, a long way from that time. But as I turned around to look across the street at my old best friend’s home (long moved away), I felt good. I had done it, I grew up. There was a time when I thought 38 was like the end of a life. I would never reach that time, that age, no way.

My elementary school principal once told my mom I shouldn’t take advanced courses in high school because I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I wasn’t focused enough, smart enough. My mom had faith in me, she signed me up for the advanced courses. I more then survived, I succeeded.

As I move towards the end of the 22 day challenge I am very aware that I am capable of more. My mentor has always told me, “With clarity comes mastery.” I know that’s true now. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You can be the person that YOU choose to be. I know it sounds a little cheesy, but I am proof. That run today reminded me of where I’ve come from. The street, the playground and the home. I am ready to keep going, to keep building, to keep getting better.