Mike McCauley

"I believe we can all fly; we just have to remember how."

What a beautiful sentiment… offered by IAMTHEROOSTER, a kindred spirit in our Ode Community. When I read these words yesterday afternoon, I had to write back with a little "supporting evidence" of my own.

I’m a runner, for fun and sport, who is nursing a leg injury right now. I can't race at this point in my recovery. But I like to be around runners and races, and help out at local events whenever I can.

A few weeks back, I volunteered at the site of a local 10k race by offering to stand at the midpoint of a one mile “fun run” for kids. When the boys and girls chugged their way through half-a-mile, they found me at an orange cone in the middle of the road. I cheered each and every child – some of them athletes, but most of them just curious little people who wanted to see what their legs and lungs could do.

Just when I thought my job was done, I noticed a man walking toward me… with his colorfully-dressed, but very unhappy daughter laboring alongside. She was exhausted and discouraged, and I honestly didn’t think she would make it. I clapped my hands as she approached and gave her a smile. Then, as she rounded the cone, I leaned over and said, “When you cross the finish line, YOU will be the first one to make it all the way… dressed in that bright shade of purple!”

I didn’t expect anything in return. But the girl flashed me a big, toothy grin, FLEW around the cone, and took off running toward the finish line.

We can all fly; that much is certain. Sometimes, we just need a little reminder.

Mike