Throwing out lifelines for everyone you can

As another cross-country season is in full bloom here in the Ozarks, I’ve enjoyed watching along as the girls diligently try to excel. This season has brought with it some instances of joy, moments of frustration, and times of pain and sadness. In the end, each girl grew substantially, and good old dad looks like he is going to survive yet another year as a fan. This year has been very similar to the last. Lilli is driven to succeed and win, while learning the importance of putting in the training time necessary during the off season. Riyann, on the other hand, has tamed her desire to stop and smell the flowers along the way but remains minimally motivated to do more than finish with her team. Both continue to not only impress dad but exceed my expectations.

As I watched the girls practice the other day, I overheard Lilli doing her best to explain to her sister about the proper form and breathing techniques to succeed during her practices and races. As with many sibling rivalries the younger child was having none of it. Showing very little interest in what her sister was saying Riyann simply said the dreaded “whatever” and continued doing things her way. As you can imagine this infuriated her sister. Mastering the fine art of cross-country running has come easy for Lilli, as easy as mastering elementary running can be, but being disrespected when she was merely attempting to help wasn’t sitting well. As routinely happens, dad stepped in and soon the girls were continuing their journey.

As I considered what had occurred with Lilli doing her best to impart wisdom on her reluctant sibling my mind centered upon a short saying I had recently heard. Although I regrettably can’t remember who said it, or where I read it, its content fit perfectly to the girl’s predicament. The saying simply said “go forth in life throwing the lifeline to all you see. If they grab it, great, if not it will be there for another day when they take hold.” Never have I had the pleasure of hearing a truer statement.

Just like Lilli doing her best to better her sister’s ability to compete, we too must never grow weary of trying to better ourselves, our family, and our community. As we go about this task, we must constantly throw out the lifelines of hope to others as we hope they do the same to us. Some may take hold of the lifelines, some may not. Who grabs hold and who doesn’t bear little significance. In the end it is the act of throwing them out there that truly makes the difference. For when we do our part and make it available, it is then my friends that success will be felt. Who knows who may come across those lifelines or when they will choose to take hold. Until then, keep throwing them out!

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from 9 to 29.