a humbling experience.....

ok, so this evening...at the danville high school all-comers meet...i chanced to chat with the mother of a varsity runner.....a fellow hwo also goes to our church....and who was recently in a photogragh of newly inducted national honors society members........i congratulated his mamma about this recent event......and she proceeded to tell me all about what he was doing this year.......with ap classes.....and how he is being recruited for forensics.......and how can he do all this and still keep up his running schedule?....she asked.......and if it were any other mother....i might discount most of what she said....but this young man is by far the hardest working lad....absolutely determined to make the best of what he has got as far as talent and brains and brawn........and while most fellows in his position might just stay in the backround and be marginal.....this young man is not content with marginal......he runs on despite an awkward stride......as if that is how everybody would run if they had the chance.......i love this guy's spunk.......were i a betting person....ok....so i am a betting person......i propose that this young lad will surprise us all......out of sheer grit and will......not out of talent or noblesse oblige.........he shall henceforce in this blog be horatio alger......the true upbythebootstrap success story.....and so why was this humbling.......because i stood in the presence of this mother feeling absolutely guilty that though my offspring have been successful....and though there has been tremendous effort made........it has been effort with talent attached......and that makes effort easier....ya know what i mean?...........but to have the drive without the talent.....and to succeed because of sheer will........i stand in awe......