It Comes From Your SOLE!

Hello all, and welcome back to Window Three!  It is to be hoped that you are having a Rockstar like day!  I know that I am!  After spending an All-Star weekend with my loving wife for Valentine’s Day, I’m thrilled to be back here with you this week, ready to fire your week up!  The question is, can you handle the heat? 

I had a great message all set for you today, but I have to scrap it for another week.  Why?  Because my grandma told me an even better story that I felt could really benefit the Window Three mindsets of the world!  It’s also one that parallels something my wife and I are going through with our dog, Tate. 

I’m going to start by telling you a bit about Tate and his current circumstance, then I am going to tie that into the story that my grandmother told me about this morning.  Tate is a 13 year old German Shepherd that, up to now, has seemingly been in excellent condition for a dog that is technically 91 years old, if you’re going by dog years.  He’s very playful, very kind, and relishes every night in which he gets to sleep at the end of the bed with my wife and I. 

Recently, it’s been discovered that Tate has a tumor on his brain that is causing him to lose control of his hind legs.  It’s gotten to the point that Tate’s normal day is being challenged.  He can no longer play like he used to.  Going to the bathroom outside has become much more of a chore.  And going up and down the stairs to get to his favorite sleeping place has become virtually impossible, barring someone else carrying him up and down the stairs.  He’s 81 pounds, but to me he weighs only 10. 

Now lets talk about the story from my grandmother.  She was telling me about her and my 88 year old grandfather’s (a.k.a, “Brighteyes”) journey to church this past Sunday.  Like all of my grandmother’s stories, it was very dramatic and included details that most of us tend to leave out when describing our days.

During her story she was telling me about how She and “Brighteyes” stopped by McDonald’s to eat breakfast after their trip to church.  Now, at this point, it should be noted that Brighteyes isn’t as fast as he once was.  He uses a walker or a cane (if in public) to keep his balance when getting around.  And being that it’s very slick outside during this time of year, it’s highly suggested that someone take his arm and help him to get where he’s going.  Well, on this particular morning it was my grandmother that helped him out the door of this McDonald’s.  Yes, he lost his balance and fell. 

As my grandmother described, she was able to at least make the landing bearable for him, but she couldn’t keep him up entirely.  The coffee she was carrying spilled all over her outfit, but Brighteyes was saved injury.  Now they had a dilemma.  You see, being that Brighteyes did indeed fall, he found himself sitting on the curb contemplating how to get back up.  He doesn’t have the strength to lift himself off the ground, and my grandmother is far from being strong enough to do it alone.  Now comes the good part. 

That’s when a gentleman that was going into McDonald’s came to the rescue and helped pick Brighteyes up off the ground.  As my grandmother noted, they both thanked the gentleman profusely.  The gentleman’s response, “It won’t be long before I get to be his age, and I only hope someone is there to help pick me up off the ground.” 

That is, without a doubt, one of the best responses that I have ever heard.  “It won’t be long before I get to be his age, and I only hope someone is there to help pick me up off the ground.”   I love it, and I love that man for helping my grandparents in their challenging situation!   Unfortunately, they never got the good Samaritan’s name so that I could thank him, but then again, I don’t think he would want to be thanked.  Someone who responds, “It won’t be long before I get to be his age, and I only hope someone is there to help pick me up off the ground,” does good deeds not because he wants a ‘Thank You,’ but because he can. 

Let me save you the suspense.  Most all of us are going to approach a time in our lives in which we will need someone to pick us up.  Whether you are the person watching from a distance, or the person needing the boost, you have choice.  You can either feel sorry for the circumstance in front of you, or you can admire the effort that’s being presented. 

It reminds me of the marathons I’ve run.  When I look back at all the races I’ve been a part of, it’s not the first 20 miles that comes to mind, it’s the last 6.  Those are the miles that challenge you the most.  Those are the miles that you’ll remember once you finish.  Those are the ones that require you to dig down inside and pull out what was once seemingly impossible.   Those are the moments that you look up at the crowd and pray that they are cheering you on, not looking at you with a sympathetic stare.  Those are the moments that the crowd, ‘picks you up’ and helps carry you to the finish. 

I’m not certain what you believe, but I believe and know that what comes next is far greater than anything you’ll ever experience here on this earth.  I hope you do too.  Because when you know, understand, and believe in that, it makes it so much easier to cheer on those around you.  When I see our dog Tate stumble, it reminds me that the more difficult the race, the sweeter the finish.  When I see Brighteyes struggle to get out of his chair, it doesn’t sadden me, it inspires me.  In each of these situations, I have a choice, I choose to cheer them on!  I choose to be that spectator that’s holding up the marathon sign that reads, “It comes from your ‘Sole!’”  I hope you CHOOSE to do the same. 

This week, help someone that can use it.  Whether in your personal or professional world, take a moment to look around and see if you notice anyone sitting on the curb trying to figure out how to stand back up.  If they tell you, “Thank you,” respond by saying, “It won’t be long before I get to be his age, and I only hope someone is there to help pick me up off the ground.”  Have a great week everyone!