As a triathlete, I know the night before a major race (well any race for that matter) will result in a sleepless toss and turn, anticipating the alarm chime and routine that guides me through the pre-dawn preparations for a physically grueling day. After the race I look back and wonder what was all the fuss about? But each time as race eve arrives, I panic! What's up with that?
You would think experience would amount for something, right? Nope! It never changes... but you hope it does. You hope the next race on the calendar will yield a night of full sleep prior and a classic movie-type yawn as it's time to wake up... you know the kind; sit up, smile with gaping mouth and clenched fists extending from outstretched arms! Oh! and don't forget the pajamas.
My friend Jamie Whitmore is a professional triathlete... not just any professional but one of the best ever in the sport! She found out this year something in her body was not going to let her get a good nights sleep; not just the night before a race but any night. Each night... tonight!
It's called CANCER! it sucks!! (!! = yelling as typing on a blog post).
Time and time again I've asked the readers of this blog and others to pray for Jamie. For her healing (keep praying) and for her comfort (keep praying). But this girl can't seem to get a break. Consequently, her husband doesn't get a break... Her dad, who is a hero in my mind, doesn't get a break either! No matter how hard they hope, try and submit; each time a turn for the better happens there's an equal effect making things harder! This sucky thing in her... by the way it's called cancer... wants to take control of her body; a body that was completely submitted to her will and whim until a year ago.
I have a weekly conversation with Jamie. it revolves around the same things... what's the latest, how is she coping with the latest and what can I say that would encourage her from a spiritual perspective... I've given up on that. I just want to be her friend and listen. I want to tell her the race is unfair and her bike sucks! I want say tonight she should sleep well because tomorrow the race is fixed, all of her competitors are on EPO and doing drugs and the race is a farce... but I can't because, actually, she's on EPO and doing drugs more than anyone (Jamie, I hope you're laughing; that was for you!).
No one is working harder in the race of life than my friend. However, it's not fair. Every time she comes home there is another thing sending her back to the hospital. The doctors never saw it coming and it opens up another possibility... another starting line. It's as if she finishes the swim leg of a triathlon and while others get to jump on their bike (the funnest part of the race, mind you) she's told get your ass back out in the water!
So, if you're having a bad day, facing adversity, losing a job, not making ends meet or finding things not as you wish; don't complain. There is someone I know who would gladly take your place... at the start of the race, with a handicap, unexperienced and out of shape! But don't mistake the opportunity. She's known what you'll never know and still doesn't compare and will trade "pro" for age grouper, because it's all about finishing!
Consider your competition. What's got you from moving forward? What's weighing you down? What stands in your way?
Really? that's nothing. Pray for Jamie... She's got a real battle and she's still fighting!
