witnessing good in the world, is always a favorite past time.

today my kids participated in a cross country competition. there over a hundred kids all from several schools. besides their close friends and team mates, many were strangers to one another. grades 3-6.

lucy and benson were my sidekicks as we stayed posted on route to keep the runners on track and to cheer them on. participants had loved ones at the finish line to cheer them on. and then they had peers to cheer them on while they ran.

we had three runners from our family. i am so proud of them. it was hard and they did it. i love their honesty, when they tell us how hard it was.

and while we all have different gifts, it can be hard to remember that when what is so hard for us, appears to be so easy to all around you. even in fact, it isn’t all. each of us struggle. and just like these runners, we have supporters who are cheering for us.

the boys competed first. then while the girls ran, the boys from their teams were running along the trail, standing up on the hill, jumping up and down at the finish line; all while encouraging their team mates.

for about 30 minutes i witnessed our future. yes there is a great deal to be dismayed about in our society. but i believe there is opposition in all things. for all the evil and confusion in the world, there is goodness and sure knowledge. knowledge of how to be a good one. a good member of society who loves and supports others, even the competition. a good soul.

a few things i heard from 8-12 year olds, to their peers as they ran…

“don’t even take a step and walk, just keep running”

“you got this”

“go you! look at you go!”

“keep going, you can do this!”

“(insert name), you are awesome”

“you worked hard for this, you can do it”

then the end of the running came. a big cluster of runners fizzled. and there were a few runners bringing in the rear. where my favorite moments took place. maybe a bit of my heart feels for them, i was always a professional at bringing up the rear. runners who were done would go back to run with, cheer on and remind their friends and classmates that they are amazing. and that together we can do hard things.

and while i over heard parents, grandparents, siblings and teachers cheer on their runners, which does a heart good; nothing really compared to the commodore of these peers. and i realized that this IS our future. we are in the midst of raising our leaders. daunting it is and a privilege. i am so grateful for the cheer leaders my children have. for the village of good souls who beam with joy at the success of those around them. for being builders, not wreckers. for being includers, not excluders.

here’s to the future. what inspirations these young ones are. they are our real future.

Each school year my kids create class creeds in their classes. They memorize and recite it often. I’m always so proud to hear what it is each year and to hear them share it with gusto and heart. Be still my heart. 
This year my fourth graders brought this home. (I have two fourth graders – same class) Harrison couldn’t wait to share it with me and as he read it to me, a couple lines really stood out. 

“Each one of us will help one another by using the freedom that we have” 

“We will build each other’s confidence by being respectful”

In our world right now freedoms and respect seem all to quickly to be on their way to being replaced with entitlement and self serving. 

Personal freedoms, religious freedoms… in the land of free are under attack. And in turn so is being respectful.

Can you even imagine what our world would be like if even for a day we followed this creed created by nine and ten year old students along with their amazing teacher?