Running our Races with Purpose

It’s been almost ten years since our eleven children and grands along with about twenty others ran or walked with us in Tulsa’s Route 66 Marathon to honor my husband who had graduated to heaven the Tuesday before.

That Sunday morning we wore our red “Run for Ron” t-shirts. It had all been planned before he surprised us by graduating to heaven just a few days before the marathon. He couldn’t move back then, but we could – so we did. For my son, the little boy who was born with club feet and dramatically healed, ran this 26.2 marathon in honor of his dad. He started out at 7:30 a.m. Our 17-year-old grandson, Braden, ran the half-marathon (13.1 miles). The rest of us started out on our 5K run/walk at 8:00 am. Not many of the rest of us were runners, but it brought such joy to see the solidarity of our group — running/walking with such passion — so appreciative we could.

Once we completed our 5K, we rushed to the Finish Line to cheer for Braden who ran the half marathon in his personal best time ever. He told me he felt his Papa pushing him all the way. When we went to meet up and cheer Ryan on at Mile 16, we got a call from him instead. A man collapsed just in front of him. What marathon runners don’t do, is stop running mid-way through a marathon as it seizes up their legs, but Ryan stopped to help him. He was unconscious and Ryan held his feet and prayed while others were performing CPR for over 16 minutes. He stayed with the man until the ambulance took him away. Later we found out the 27-year old man died during that time. We envisioned that divine orchestration had taken place — even perhaps that my Ron was there to meet that young man when he went to the other side. Later, we would cheer for Ryan as he crossed the Finish Line — not his best time because of the delay — but God’s best time, because he put himself aside and responded to “the call” of God to be there for one of His kids.

This was a sweet memory last Saturday, September 12th, which was my Ron’s birthday. It was an endearing day of celebrating him with my granddaughter, plus my son was running in the virtual 2020 Boston Marathon for his dad and the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Boston which he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for this worthy cause for twelve years now. Unable to hold the live and in-person 2020 Boston Marathon originally scheduled for April 20th, runners were able to receive their bib and make the run within certain dates and qualify for finishing.

I loved my cheer-leading family who showed up to cheer their dad on to another marathon victory. My early morning text cheered him on from Frisco with these words: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:29–31

And, he did it – for himself, his family and his dad. I suspect his dad was also cheering him on from heaven’s grandstands where he was having the ultimate birthday party. And, in my case, I will continue to run (actually, walk) my race with diligence to my finish line where, one day, we’ll all celebrate in grand heavenly style! That's the most important purpose behind running our life races.

Point and Ye Shall Receive

I’m back in Austin -- called in for “Nana Patrol”. Ryan is running his 52nd full marathon in the Boston Marathon today. He runs this one to raise funds for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, a place that provides emotional and physical support for those with disabilities and their families.

While on Nana Patrol, I get to be a part of Brennan's baseball tournaments. This weekend's games were at the “Field of Dreams” (I love that name!) baseball fields in Dripping Springs, 40 minutes away – practice warm-up at 7:15 am! Because we had time between games, Brennan and some buddies chose Crazy Crepes for breakfast. What an eye-opener I had!

The aromas are heavenly at this small town, crepe eatery that is packed full of guests. There are just a few tables indoors and an attached covered outdoor area. A sign reads “Point and Ye Shall Receive,” the simplest way for customers to order a meal from the all-deaf staff. At a small counter, a lovely woman takes our orders as we point to the items we want.

The Crazy Crepes story is of a family of immigrants struggling to bring a dream to life in America. It is the story of a deaf-owned business, which discovered taste as a universal language that transcends barriers to communication. Vladimir and Inna Giterman came from Russia to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1990 with their son and six years later they arrived in Austin, where they had their first American-born daughter, Michelle.

Vladimir and Inna had business ideas in America, where there was a possibility for deaf people to start their own companies. They hosted parties with friends and cooked their beloved crepes, a time-honored recipe from Vladimir’s mother. Their original flavors were ham and cheese, and Nutella and banana (my grandsons’ favorite), which they sold out of a small food truck downtown Austin in 2007. Their son found a Craigslist posting for a site in Dripping Springs, and the family opened their first brick-and-mortar location there in 2014. They opened a second store in Austin just a few months ago.

They strongly believe in supporting the local deaf community. All of their contractors, electricians, chefs, and staff are deaf. “We hire deaf people because they have a hard time getting a job out there,” Michelle Giterman writes. “We know they are as talented as anyone. And it’s really nice for us to be able to communicate with our workers without worrying about any communication barriers. “It’s a win-win situation for all of us.”

My grandsons could see I was enamored with this place and this family. They asked, “Why are you taking pictures?” I explained: “I have a blog coming and it’s going to be about those who say 'I can’t do that because I’m not smart enough. I can’t do that because I’m too old. I can’t do that because I’m not talented enough. I can’t do that because I’m a girl. I can’t do that because I’m overweight. I can’t do that because I don’t have enough money. I can’t do that because I have a handicap." Etc. Etc. Etc. And, I’d like to say, “Oh yes, you can do anything because Philippians 4:13 says, " I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me." NO excuses!

When someone says, “I can’t do it” . . . I say to myself, “What do you mean you can’t do it?” Maybe you don’t want to do it, but saying you “can’t” do it is a completely different story. With the right mindset, positive attitude, and a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, the only thing that is holding you back is yourself. These wonderful Russian immigrants proved it. They brought a blessing to the U.S. They showed us there is nothing we can’t do when we start saying "I CAN do this!".