About four weeks ago, while I was taking Chris and Andrew to school, I said, "Hey guys, guess what? On October 6th, Chris and I are going to run in a 5K Run, celebrating the life and memory of Maria DeHaas…and Andrew and mom are going to do the 1 mile Fun Run."
Chris remarked with, "Cool!" since we had just begun running together as part of his training for the Cross Country team.
Andrew then asked the following: "Wow, was Maria like a celebrity or something?"
"What do you mean?" I said."Well first there's her bench and now this. Was she famous?"
I think I had a quick chuckle and then I mentally salivated at the teachable moment in front of me. "No, she wasn't famous, but people like to remember her."
He then asked why and I was able to go ahead and do my best with the moment: "Andrew, in my opinion, here is why. Actually there are two reasons, and the first one is the lesser of the two. When mom met Maria, she wasn't a runner at that time. But then she took up running, and devoted herself to it. She became so healthy and fit she inspired others to do the same. As a matter of fact, she is one of the people that made me want to run. She had become an amazing runner.""However, I think there's a much bigger reason than that. Maria was extremely kind. She loved her family and she was such a faithful friend. There were numerous times when mom and I needed someone to watch you guys while we took care of some emergency. Maria never failed to come over and help when we asked her, and she did it with a smile on her face, and never wanting anything in return. She seemed to find joy in providing that help to us. And we weren't the only ones. She served on her Home Owners Association trying to improve her community, and was active teaching Sunday School at her church. Her job at Cannon was also one where she was helping and loving people. She seemed really good at caring for others and really, being the hands and feet of Christ in many situations. It was her helpful and loving nature that impacted so many people, and makes us want to remember her. And really, isn't that a great legacy to leave behind?"
The last time I remember seeing Maria was in a very unlikely place. Well, not really. I was loosening up for a run in my neighborhood and she ran right by
me, a good 3+ miles from her house. It took me a second to see her through the headband and sweat and it surprised me to see her there, but I laughed and said hi and she smiled. Oddly, that was the first time that happened, and sadly, it didn't happen again. She inspired me to get in shape and take up running, and tomorrow I will run my first 5K event with my son. I can't think of a better place to start.
My boys seemed to get it the reason why we remember her….and by saying it out loud, I think I did too. Maria is a great example of how a lasting impact can be made in how we invest positively in those around us, and how life is much less about the things and situations we pursue and more about the people we live around and the joy we capture with them.
