Great work, guys. Sam, it's nice to have the backstory — it adds to the authenticity of your perceptive essays. I know it's a cliche and you've heard it before, but savor every moment of this period your in right now — it passes so very quickly.
I'm feeling that right now, even though my youngest is still only 11 -- he'll be 12 in September. He's in that gray zone of being not a little kid anymore, but still not quite a teenager yet. At least once or twice a week, I'll walk somewhere in our house that reminds me of when he was really little, and the nostalgia kicks in... does it ever stop?
Appreciate it, Jeff. Yesterday she was “driving” in the car yesterday (playing around in the front seat in our parked car). I thought, ‘wait, weren’t you the size of rabbit like a year ago?’
Hey, a Furman alum! Our daughter is about to start her senior year at Furman University -- it's such a small school, it's always fun to "meet" someone else who went there!
The sleep thing is a constant struggle for me, too. With a full-time office job, husband, college kid, 9-year-old at home, etc., if I don't wake up at 5am to run, it's impossible to squeeze it in. But I also can't seem to go to bed at 9pm. Those 90 minutes or so, after our son goes to bed, with a cup of tea, chatting with my husband, or reading a book are more mission critical than 8 hours of sleep right now!
Amazing! What is she majoring in? It’s been years since I’ve been able to go back, but Furman was deeply formative for me. Haha, spent a lot of time in Duke Library!
I’m with you the bedtime wind down. I need at least a few minutes with a book before bed.
She's majoring in Philosophy and prepping for the LSAT so she can head to law school after Furman. She's really enjoyed Furman, it's been a great fit for her!
I found myself writing notes on post its as I read your responses to Terrell's questions. I could "hear" your voice throughout. I appreciate your transformation at a fairly young age. You wanted to be the best version of yourself, whether it be playing the trumpet or running. You seemed to be able to reflect, and even though you may have altered your thinking to some extent over the years, I respect the process and change.
Yup, you nailed what it's like being a parent: tired, sad, worried, and ill-tempered. It is HARD. I am a grandparent now, and I felt every one of those things when I was at your stage in life. I now know that I was just doing the best I could at the time!! Again, you appreciate that this is "not the season of my life for self-care." Though you are not running at this moment, doing the exercise/activity you shared with us is surely supporting your body and mind at some level (I know you know this!!) Parenting and self-care.... what a pair.
You nailed it when you spoke about runners and the running community when you said: Nobody said you don't belong here!" Runners are the best people around :)
Finally, your last line about talking to your younger self, cracked me up!!
Sending healing energy your way and thank you for a FANTASTIC post!!
Wonderful perspective. I try to remember that running careers are long. It's easy to get caught up in a single race or qualifying for this or that. What matters is improvement and liking the sport enough to want to keep doing it. That's the real marathon
I think that’s right, Cal. There are a lot of ways of capturing it, but maybe at its root are cultivating patience, resilience, and the willingness to move slower so that you can eventually move fast.
Loved every response...
Thanks so much, Clark. Appreciate your reading.
Look forward to reading "Footnotes" (clever) and eventually becoming a paid subscriber. Glad Terrell introduced us...
Amazing! Thanks so much, Clark.
Spectacular life story! Advice: continue to enjoy your family … before you know it, your “little one” will be in college!
Thanks so much, David!
Great work, guys. Sam, it's nice to have the backstory — it adds to the authenticity of your perceptive essays. I know it's a cliche and you've heard it before, but savor every moment of this period your in right now — it passes so very quickly.
I'm feeling that right now, even though my youngest is still only 11 -- he'll be 12 in September. He's in that gray zone of being not a little kid anymore, but still not quite a teenager yet. At least once or twice a week, I'll walk somewhere in our house that reminds me of when he was really little, and the nostalgia kicks in... does it ever stop?
What do you think is the most interesting aspect of him being almost 12, Terrell? Like, what’s new about this gray zone?
Appreciate it, Jeff. Yesterday she was “driving” in the car yesterday (playing around in the front seat in our parked car). I thought, ‘wait, weren’t you the size of rabbit like a year ago?’
Oh, I know the feeling!
Hey, a Furman alum! Our daughter is about to start her senior year at Furman University -- it's such a small school, it's always fun to "meet" someone else who went there!
The sleep thing is a constant struggle for me, too. With a full-time office job, husband, college kid, 9-year-old at home, etc., if I don't wake up at 5am to run, it's impossible to squeeze it in. But I also can't seem to go to bed at 9pm. Those 90 minutes or so, after our son goes to bed, with a cup of tea, chatting with my husband, or reading a book are more mission critical than 8 hours of sleep right now!
Amazing! What is she majoring in? It’s been years since I’ve been able to go back, but Furman was deeply formative for me. Haha, spent a lot of time in Duke Library!
I’m with you the bedtime wind down. I need at least a few minutes with a book before bed.
She's majoring in Philosophy and prepping for the LSAT so she can head to law school after Furman. She's really enjoyed Furman, it's been a great fit for her!
That’s so cool. Congrats to her! I majored in Philosophy and it was a great life and career decision. Even more so in this era of AI.
I found myself writing notes on post its as I read your responses to Terrell's questions. I could "hear" your voice throughout. I appreciate your transformation at a fairly young age. You wanted to be the best version of yourself, whether it be playing the trumpet or running. You seemed to be able to reflect, and even though you may have altered your thinking to some extent over the years, I respect the process and change.
Yup, you nailed what it's like being a parent: tired, sad, worried, and ill-tempered. It is HARD. I am a grandparent now, and I felt every one of those things when I was at your stage in life. I now know that I was just doing the best I could at the time!! Again, you appreciate that this is "not the season of my life for self-care." Though you are not running at this moment, doing the exercise/activity you shared with us is surely supporting your body and mind at some level (I know you know this!!) Parenting and self-care.... what a pair.
You nailed it when you spoke about runners and the running community when you said: Nobody said you don't belong here!" Runners are the best people around :)
Finally, your last line about talking to your younger self, cracked me up!!
Sending healing energy your way and thank you for a FANTASTIC post!!
I so appreciate it, Debby. Send all the healing vibes my way! Appreciate the thoughts, reflections and post its! Delighted you enjoyed the post.
Wonderful perspective. I try to remember that running careers are long. It's easy to get caught up in a single race or qualifying for this or that. What matters is improvement and liking the sport enough to want to keep doing it. That's the real marathon
Very well said, Cal!
I think that’s right, Cal. There are a lot of ways of capturing it, but maybe at its root are cultivating patience, resilience, and the willingness to move slower so that you can eventually move fast.