Inspiration from a young man named Chance.

At the beginning of each track season I would go around my classroom and invite the students, one by one, to join the team.  Often I would hear the response, "I can't run", to which I would reply, "can you throw?"  The teams increased in size each year with a variety of talents, shapes and sizes.  One student inparticular will forever be embedded in my heart.  His name is Chance.

Chance was an exceptionally large 7th graders, with a high pitched voice, and an awkwardness that set him apart.  The greatest quality about this young man was his heart, I'm pretty sure it was made of gold.  His initial response to the track invitation was that he didn't think he could do it.  After further conversation he said that he would talk to his Grandparents and let me know if they said yes.  He came back the next day with a huge smile and the okay from his family!  I was excited for him but hopeful too that I had not set him up for failure.  

The first practice brought with it 60 plus students!  The warm up laps to get things started was when I really began to worry that maybe I had assumed more than I should about Chance's abilities.  Watching him run was painful and his beat red face caused concern.  One of the other coaches was doing all he could to help him with the movements that followed.  When we got to the push ups he could only go to the floor, there was no push up!  The most impressive thing about this day was the fact that he never gave up.  

Each practice Chance would be there, ready to do whatever was asked.  As time progressed I began to notice the other students coming along side him and giving encouragement.  The cool thing was that with each passing week you could see that he was getting stronger and stronger.  His ankles that hurt at the beginning during runs were no longer sore.  The push ups he couldn't do began to happen.  The run around the gym was completed without exhaustion, and he was now gaining skills in throwing the shot put.  

Track is perfect for those who will never be in the 1st place position because the number one competitor is themselves.  Personal records are what we celebrated.  There were times that you would have thought we were cheering for an olympic qualifier when we were actually excited for the one at the very back of the pack.  The celebrations abounded for each team member as they made improvements with each meet.

Chance was no different.  in fact, he stood out the most.  His physical fitness level was night and day from what it was and he was throwing the shot put further and further.  One day he came up to me in class and showed me his shirt.  When I asked if it was new, he said no but that it had gotten so big!  With a huge smile he told me that he had lost weight and when I asked if he was proud of himself he couldn't say yes quick enough.  His success did not come by winning races or events, his success came through hard work and determination and accomplishments specific to him.  

At the end of the year when the students vote for standout awards they voted unanimously for Chance as the most inspirational and most improved.  Awards that were most fitting for a young man who didn't think that he was capable and never willing to give up.  

Chances life was not easy.  He lived with his Dad and his grandparents and by the end of that year they all had to move to Kansas because his Dad had brain cancer and they needed to be near family.  Through all the heartache this young man experienced he never complained and never quit.  The difficulties and struggles both on and off the field were not hinderances but opportunities to be made stronger.  

As you continue on this journey I pray that you find determination to move on in times of weakness, That you allow the encouragement of others to give you support, and that most of all, you find great pride in all you are sure to accomplish! 

I pray that you are like Chance.  When it gets hard - you never give up!