If you fall, I’ll pick you up

Matanuska Valley running trails are full of ups and downs. Last year, my 6th-grade son, Stephen, competed on the Teeland Middle School Cross Country team. He had prepared well and had a goal to finish in the top-five. At the first cross country meet of the season at Palmer High School, the excitement and energy were high for the runners and their families.

I watched over 200 boys set off together to complete the two-mile race on the hilly course. I was amazed at the power they generated as they ran by. After cheering on my son near the starting line, I ran to the one-mile point on the trail where I could watch for him. I expected to see him in the pack of the top-ten runners because his previous race times had put him at that competitive level.

After a few minutes, I heard the fans on the sides of the trails start cheering. The first few runners of 6 th, 7th, and 8th-grade boys were coming, and they were running fast. I was sure I’d see my son soon. After the first five runners went by, I was confident I would see Stephen shortly. Five more runners passed, and there was no sign of my son. I looked at my husband with concern and asked, “Where is he?” He shook his head, wondering as well.

Ten more runners went by, and I started to worry. Stephen has asthma and allergies. What if he was having an attack on the trail, and no one was there to help him? I waited, wondered, and worried. More boys ran by, and then, in 25th place, I saw my struggling son having an asthma attack and still running, with tears in his eyes. I wanted to run to him, put my arms around him, and reassure him. But he ran on. And I stood back.

With still another mile left to run, I wasn’t sure how he would hold on and press on. I knew he was mentally and physically strong, but when you feel your airway closing in on you, panic can set in, and the mental toughness you have trained with can suffer. I continued to watch the race as runners started to turn around the last hill. Only a quarter-mile remained until the finish line. Runner after runner went by, and I wondered if Stephen had held on.

I wasn’t going to worry about that unless I didn’t see him between the 25th-30th place in the race. The 22nd, 23rd, and 24th runner ran by. My heart started pounding faster with the expectation of seeing my son soon. There he was! Stephen had maintained his 25th place position even after the asthma attack. I was relieved to see him even though he still looked disappointed and distressed. With frustration, he finally finished the race.

I met him at the finish line and gave him time to catch his breath before asking questions.

Once he had settled, I reassured him that he ran well and that something must have thrown him off from meeting his achievable goal. We were going to figure it out! And we did! We found fresh cut clumps of grass all over the start and finish areas as well as on the trail. Stephen’s asthma was a reaction to the allergens that had been kicked up in the air while running.

Stephen’s tears continued to fall from frustration. So, I found a quiet area in the woods where I could sit down with him and offer some counsel and comfort. He kept repeating, “I don’t know what happened.” Then I asked him, “How were you able to finish the race? What kept you going?”

Stephen replied, “There was a boy on the trail who helped me. He was wearing a green shirt. I think he was from Redington Middle School. He stayed with me and ran by my side when he saw me struggling. He told me, ‘If you fall, I will pick you up.’”

I felt peace, knowing someone had been watching over my son.

The Good Samaritan story was re-lived on the trail that day. So many other runners passed by because the race was about winning, and some may not have even seen the struggle Stephen was having. But, the boy in the green shirt, named Finn, gave up his place in the race to rescue a runner.

This experience has caused me to ponder: Do we race by others that cross our daily path? Are we in such a hurry that we don’t have the time to show compassion and kindness? Are we willing to give up our place in the race of life to help others get to the finish line? The next time we see someone struggling to breathe or take another step, let us offer a helping hand and say, “If you fall, I will pick you up.”

Kary Hafen has lived in Wasilla for 12 years. She enjoys running, hiking, singing, and baking cookies. Kary is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.