And they call some of these people
"retarded"...
A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine
contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the
starting line for the 100-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out,
not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and
win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt,
tumbled over a couple
of times, and began to cry.
The other eight
heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned
around and went back...every one of them.
One girl with Down's Syndrome
bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all
nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the
stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who
were there are still telling the story.
Why? Because deep down we
know:
- What matters in this life is more than winning
for ourselves.
- What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means
slowing down and changing our course.
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