Thursday, April 18, 2013

marathon medal



Just read this story and feel compelled to share. The above is my medal for running the Singapore Marathon. I take it to school to show to the students. They all want to wear it. The man in the story gave his to the writer. That was very commendable of him. He would have trained and trained.


An act of kindness which inspires and touches lives....
Please help me by sharing this!

As some of you know, I was 1/2 mile from the finish line when the explosion went off. I had no idea what was going on until I finally stopped and asked someone. Knowing that my family was at the finish line waiting for me, I started panicking, trying to call them. Diverted away from the finish line, I started walking down Mass Ave towards Symphony Hall still not knowing where my family was. Right before the intersection of Huntington, I was able to get in touch with Bryan and found out he was with my family and they were safe. I was just so happy to hear his voice that I sat down and started crying. Just couldn't hold it back. At that moment, a couple walking by stopped. The woman took the space tent off her husband, who had finished the marathon, and wrapped it around me. She asked me if I was okay, if I knew where my family was. I reassured her I knew where they were and I would be ok. The man then asked me if I finished to which I nodded "no." He then proceeded to take the medal off from around his neck and placed it around mine. He told me "you are a finisher in my eyes." I was barely able to choke out a "thank you" between my tears.

Odds are I will never see this couple again, but I'm reaching out with the slim chance that I will be able to express to them just what this gesture meant to me. I was so in need of a familiar face at that point in time. This couple reassured me that even though such a terrible thing had happened, everything was going to be ok.
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2 comments:

  1. A very touching story. I ran the London marathon 7 years ago at the age of 55. It was a real challenge. This Sunday it is the London marathon and I will be there to support the runners.

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