Closure

 I like closure.  I like completely a task, finishing a project, getting the last dish in the dishwasher and pushing start, getting permission to start something new, checking it off the 'to do' list.  Today we had some closure, the final cross-country meet for this fall.  Well, the final meet for us; the season isn't over yet, but the students that we are following and cheering for are done running within driving distance.  Kelsey will run in the state meet south of Eugene later.

Today Anya ran.  We call her a granddaughter.  It was somewhat of a climax to the season, a meet to allow the best of the best in middle high and grade school to run one last time with peers in the state and even some from outside the state.  We had no idea what this run was about until we got there.  Would there be many races?  Would there be a few or many runners?

We were surprised to see cars parked three blocks from the race, which was at the Western Oregon University track.  This had to be an illusion, there will be parking, hopefully.  But there wasn't any.  I left Gail off close to the track and found a spot on the far side of campus.  We discovered during the race and after viewing the results that there were six races with more than a thousand runners and probably hundreds of schools and running clubs.  The atmosphere emulated a carnival, tents, canopies, souvenirs (mostly T-shirts), kids running and throwing balls, parents, coaches, grandparents and lots of noise and cheering.

We focused on Anya's race - 3,000-meter middle high champs.  The results showed that her race had just over three-hundred runners and she came in 215th.  Her time was a bit slower than some other races where there were maybe about 50 runners, but her placement was about where one would expect her.  I'm always very proud of her and I'm so eager to follow her running career.  

But I also have the greatest of respect for the last runner to cross the finish line often minutes after the runner who was second to last.  The determination, the drive, the endurance to finish what she started no matter how far from the winner she may be, it demonstrates a strong character.  This individual is my hero.

I stand and applaud all the runners.  I wish you well and as you finish this season and bring it to a closure, I look forward to a new season of the next set of runners next fall.  The best to you.