Of Soft Hearts and Chocolate Chip Cookies

My oldest daughter graduates from high school this month. What’s really amazing is that she did all this growing while I didn’t age a day. That’s a pretty cool trick. But then, she is pretty amazing herself.
I think this is where I am supposed to offer advice that she didn’t ask for. Some people say life is like a marathon, not a sprint. That’s partially true. If you hang in there long enough and you look back on it, yeah, it looks like a marathon. But in the middle of it you better be able to sprint like crazy because if you don’t get there in a hurry somebody else is going to have gotten all the water (or at least any water that had ice).
I think life is more like a school dance. There are a few, few people who really know how to dance well. Good for them. Then there are those who sit at their table and move their heads like bobble head dolls while they make fun of others out there trying. If that’s how they want to spend their life, just sitting at a table mocking others, that’s not going to get them very far. Ahh, but blessed are those who are out there trying for they may be called dweebs, or nerds, or geeks but they are the ones having the best time and laughing the loudest with the truest friends. And most of all life is about trying and laughing.
And be sure and drink your milk and take your calcium. Do lots of push-ups and bench presses. You want to make your rib cage hard and your chest muscles strong because somehow you have made it this far with a very soft heart. Lots of people tell their kids they need to toughen up. I just think that makes it a tougher world for all of us.
So sprint when you can because the cold water will be worth it. But don’t be too disappointed if the cold water’s gone. The lukewarm water will meet your needs and there’s another aid station just another mile down the road. Dance like you were eight years old, your best friend was over, the radio was cranked to the max, and the door was closed, and your hair’s on fire!
Finally, know that the best way to get that milk down is with a warm chocolate chip cookie, like I’m doing right now. One nice warm, melty chocolate chip cookie dunked in milk. Now that is truly the meaning of life.
Here’s to you Erin!