have a little faith in me

we get time everyday.  sometimes we even wish time away.  it seems there is a lot of hurry up and wait going on in life.  maybe one day we can all vow to hurry up and take it all in.

 i'm going to try.

this new thought process will mean embracing every long run, every ocean swim, every uphill pedal stroke.   it will mean holding onto every second, every minute, every hour. this year has been a year of lessons for me, a year of redefinition, a year of great joy and a year of great loss.  a good friend said to me once "want to make God laugh? tell him you future plans." 

i was brought up catholic. and from my first catholic school experience i'm pretty sure God knew i would be a challenge.  the nuns were sent from him i thought, to make my life that much more miserable.  there was sister helen ann who at 6 years old separated my best friend and i from the same kindergarten class because "christina roth and kathleen curry, are just causing to much trouble together"  then it was onto first grade when "mom sister julie just does not like me, no i was not talking in class she is just not nice, mom"  in second grade i didn't like the knee socks they made us wear so i would push them down to be ankle socks.  i told the nuns that it wasn't my fault the elastic was gone and they wouldn't stay up.  sister dennis fixed that with rubber bands.  i was a determined little 8 year old. 

along the way there have been several people who have restored my faith, there was the youth leader who even though he knew my friends and i joined the church to go on the ski  retreats and to meet the cute boys from upper merion, he had faith in us and steered me back in the right direction.  we all have our angels in life, whether we believe in God or not.  i had one recently, who i admired for being so open and honest with his faith.  ironically enough he got me started in this triathlon business.   he remains a silent angel for me and he taught me that if i have the faith (strength and love) i can accomplish anything.   anything. 

now when i run, swim, and bike i pray.  i pray for everyone who doesn't have enough time, i pray to thank God for giving me time.  let's just hope he gives me enough to finish before midnight on May 7 2011.

i'm excited about what lies ahead but also scared of what the rest of 2010 has in store.  because God knows, i never imagined this, i never thought i would be a triathlete.