April 30, 2006
hit by a bus
i've blogged a couple times about an organization that smsmh and i have been wanting to get involved with for a while. it's the olive crest "fit and fun" program. basically, it's an opportunity for the kids in the local group homes to get together and get some exercise. the program had been on a hiatus for a couple months as they re-vamped it and this past thursday was the premier day of the new schedule.
smsmh and i showed up at the park and there were already a couple of the homes there, so we jumped right in with kicking and throwing the balls around while we waited for the other homes to show up. we got to know some of the group home staff and other volunteers. after a short while, we split the guys and girls up and i headed off with the guys to play a game of two-hand-touch. okay. so i'm fit. i can run the routes and not be tired, i can make all the quick moves and play the game well...but what my body wasn't ready for was the abuse that normal high school boys deal out when playing these sorts of games. i laid myself out, hit hard and ended up on the ground quite a few times. two-hand-touch my arse.
the game was fantastic, and when we finished, the guys were wanting even more. i was able to remember everyone's name on the team i was on, clicked with a couple of the guys and just had a blast playing for the afternoon. you could tell the guys were starved for that sort of attention and activity. i told one of the kids, "great move on that play" and for almost every remaining play, he'd ask me, "hey, did you see that move?". sad and wonderful. i'm hooked, i'm really hooked. i can't wait to get back out there and hang out with the guys again, even if i do feel like i've been hit by a bus.
you know, the more i step outside this little bubble of jeff, the more i see just how big the world is. just how much need there is out there beyond my own. it's a challenge, it often has me outside my comfort zone, but dangit if the reward isn't so amazingly worth it. i challenge you, my fellow belly-gazers, pop that bubble and look around you for ways you can make a positive impact.
on a running note, running after being hit by a bus isn't fun. it's downright painful. luckily i'm still in recovery mode from the race, so the mileage is light this week. i had the distinct pleasure of being able to hook up with darrell and tag along for part of his 20 miler on saturday. i stuck with him for eight of the miles and then transitioned to the bike to ride the remaining 12 with him. what a class act darrell is. i mentioned several months back what a groovy cat he is, well he lived up to the claim. just like so many other wonderful members of the rbf, there was an instant connection and easy of conversation. we chatted about everything from wearing skirts to volunteering in india. it was great to hook up with another really neat guy and just solidify my claim that the rbf rocks.
Comments
it's so great how you help out your community Jeff! keep inspiring!
Posted by: Elizabeth at April 30, 2006 12:06 PMWhat you did was, perhaps, more wonderful than you realize. I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate (www.nationalcasa.org) to a foster child so I spend a fair amount of time learning about and experiencing the foster care system first hand. Most kids who are in group homes almost never get positive feedback. They almost never get to do something special that is just for their entertainment and amusment and like all kids they crave that attention and care. Yeah for both of you for going out and giving these kids a great day.
ps - I got a very elaborate ad in the mail for Gatorade Endurance and I wouldn't have thought twice about it had it not been for your post. I think you tipped the balance the other way ;-)
Posted by: 21stCenturyMom at April 30, 2006 12:40 PMWhat a great post! I'm sure you motivated Darrell to run strong and long. And those kids...well...I'm sure it was amazing for them:)
Posted by: susie at April 30, 2006 1:28 PMhanging with those kids sounds really cool - and it's always fun to meet fellow bloggers!
Posted by: angie's pink fuzzy at April 30, 2006 3:47 PMIt was cool to hear about the fit and fun program first hand. I know you've been looking for something like that to throw yourself at. You probably didn't realize how much you were going to get thrown around ;-)
I really enjoyed the run. You pushed me up a notch and the time just flew by. Thanks! Cool pic.
Good job Jeff. I'm glad you survived ;) Did you pass my work and wave?
Posted by: Jessica at April 30, 2006 4:13 PMTruly, you are doing a great thing. Not just the program, but inspiring us to look around, and see how we can contribute. rock on.
Posted by: Jeanne at April 30, 2006 6:06 PMI'm curious...did you take that picture with your right hand extended to the side while you were rolling along on the bike? If so, that's a great picture - it's very clear. You're so multi-talented.
Posted by: Donald at April 30, 2006 7:24 PMGreat stuff here, Jeff. I'd love to read what those kids would be blogging today about you ... you made quite an impact, I'm sure.
Posted by: beverly at April 30, 2006 9:05 PMI like you Jeff. You see a need and you make a difference. You put yourself out there and challenge the rest of us to do the same. Thanks for that.
Hey, it's very cool that you hooked up with Darrell. I like that guy too! Right on man.
Posted by: Robb Runner at May 1, 2006 6:24 AMyou're a good guy, jeff! but you already knew that. ;) you're the new best friend to those kids!
Posted by: Deene at May 1, 2006 6:56 AMThanks for reminding us to make a difference in someone's life.
Posted by: Anne at May 1, 2006 4:15 PMi appreciate the challenge, jeff. i tend to just think about how i can help, rather than doing anything. reading about your day with the kids is quite inspirational.
as far as your run with darrell...that would have been a fun experience. you guys are two of the nicest folks i have encountered in the blog world. i am lucky that you are both in my neck of the woods. once i get my pace up a little, i will have to come out for a long run with you. maybe i can talk you both into a 30+ mile training run in the late summer :)
Posted by: matt at May 1, 2006 7:55 PMhelping kids in the community is a very strong commitment. And, judging from how tired i am after looking after my own, it must be truly exhausting. well done, i find that kind of thing just as impressive as running a marathon.
Posted by: Thomas at May 2, 2006 8:56 AMGreat description of a way to move out of the self-absorption we all tend to crawl into, Jeff. Glad you didn't get clothes-lined too much coming across the middle for a pass!!
Posted by: Joe at May 2, 2006 2:46 PMOh, very cool, indeed! Thank you for the reminder to get out there and contribute. :)
You scared me with your title though... Glad to see that it was only the kids beating up on you - good for them! :)
Posted by: Jen at May 3, 2006 5:50 AMattaboy! those guys need to hear you and see you,too.
Posted by: massoman at May 5, 2006 6:45 PM