I must apologize for bringing up the same subject.....but it has really been on my mind all too much recently.
Today, as I watch my daughter struggle to find another excuse to walk a few houses up the street, just to see her best friend one more time, I feel like my heart weighs a ton.
Katlyn and Maddie have been the closest of friends for 10 of their 13 years. Not just regular friends, but as close as sisters, count the days while each other is away, animal loving, change the world together, best friends. I know she will survive, but in her world this is devastating: HER FRIEND is moving way too far away. I see her trying to hide the tears and I wonder how am I supposed to fix this. All I can think is......this sucks !
We all know of LOSS, and there will surely be more losses for her to carry. I just had no idea how much it would bother me to see her hurt so much. I also know this does not rank as difficult as losing my Brother or Father. Or all of the deeply personal losses we all have felt. Yet, it sure does hurt.
How does this apply to the "box" and why blog about it ? One, it is cathartic for me to share, two it serves as proof to a hypotheses I have formed: CrossFit makes us harder on the outside, but softer on the inside.
This is a good thing. I am more alive when I feel more deeply. Physical pain is a badge of honor for many of us. We can no longer envision a workout that does not test us physically. Likewise, emotional pain has the same effect, it reminds us we are indeed alive. We are living as we are meant. We must learn to allow relationships to reach our core. Just as most of us have the desire to taste our own blood, sweat, and tears in order to feel fully alive, loving without reservation allows us to know who we really are.
Form friendships, let down your guard, become SOFT on the inside. Care about the person struggling through the workout right beside you. Some of the best friends I have ever known are right here in this world we call the "box".
I sincerely hope Maddie will be able to see her way through this, she will have more heartaches. So, I pray she will not be hardened by them but softened I hope she can LIVE FEARLESS. Not just physically, or spiritually but emotionally as well.
I hope we all do.
OH my gosh, moved beyond words............ so incredibly well written
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing
janet
Great post, Rich. I've moved around all my life. People would think it gets easier, but it doesn't. I've just had to learn how to say goodbye and truly appreciate the untangible gifts people give me when they enter my life. I hope Maddie and her friend keep in touch. This experience is an opportunity for growth. Take care.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Hey Rich… Just cruised the webpage by to see what my friends at CenTex are up to. Saw your blog and wanted to check it out. I found it interesting that I happened to stumble across this particular blog. I thank you and the crew for embracing me during my 2 month stay there. That was a very challenging time for me for that was the 1st time I been away from my family. The box really helped me survive Kileen, Tx. After I left there I went to Fort Benning, went to Crossfit Inception there. I am now in North Carolina at Fort Bragg where I will be til December. I have found another box, A Star Iron, and plan to keep pressing. I think of you guys often and wear CrossFit Centex T-shirts all the time! Hope all is well. Please say hello to everyone- Cara
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