"Running Commentary"
One of my favorite recent films is “Silver Linings Playbook,” about a guy (Bradley Cooper) suffering from bipolar disorder who moves back with his parents after being released from a psychiatric hospital.
Several things. Firstly, my ex-wife (Omaha edition) suffered from bipolar, so I can definitely relate to the character’s mood swings and screaming fits. Been there, experienced that.
Secondly, Cooper grew up just around the corner from where I lived many years, outside of Philadelphia. The places where he hung out (Hiway theater) were the same places I used to frequent.
Thirdly – and most significantly – all the characters in the film are very passionate fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, and that passion weaves its way into the plot. For the movie to have a happy ending, the Eagles had to defeat the hated Dallas Cowboys (and of course, they did!).
Hey, I’ve said it many times – in Philadelphia, the Eagles are bigger than the Catholic Church. And any other denomination you care to mention. The city bleeds green.
I think everyone knows what a silver lining is. Someone may lose their job, but if that loss is offset by the opportunity to go back to school and finish a degree – something that wouldn’t be possible otherwise? That opportunity would be the silver lining.
As I write this, I’ll admit to feeling a little guilty. Despite these horrible days of COVID-19, I have quite a few silver linings in my life – some very significant life-altering changes. All good.
Look no further than my new baby boy – Boulder McGraw, the erstwhile newspaper columnist who – in this very newspaper when he was all of 11 weeks old – wrote about his being rescued from the dusty streets of Amarillo, Texas. Then, fortuitously, adopted by a nice but rascally guy who has difficulty remembering if he’s in Philadelphia, Colorado or Kansas.
Friends, I helped raise three children, and I can attest that there isn’t much difference between raising a child and caring for a puppy. Both are totally dependent on you for their care, nurturing and growth. Both require a great deal of unconditional love and hands-on attention … and nothing in your life is the same after you have one.
Puppies and children? The same!
Both pee and poop at the most inconvenient times.
And who’s left to clean up their messes? Yep!
Boulder is an amazing pup – he has a effervescent personality to go with his comical, split-level face. However, this very morning, when he began barking in his crate at an unholy hour? I would have been tempted to trade him for a couple of donuts.
I was soooo tired and didn’t want to get up. But when you’re a single parent, there’s nobody else. It was no different with my other kids – all of whom, decades later, experienced similar feelings with their own children.
Arise! Let the little bugger out so he can water the weeds.
But even that small annoyance turned into a positive – since I was (ahem) “almost awake” and unlikely to go back to sleep, Boulder and I went for a short two mile run in the darkness. I love, love, love running in the early morning hours when the rest of the planet is sleeping.
Although, It's more fun if I can wake up first.
Running too is a silver lining – one of my great passions in life. I warrant there aren’t a lot of people in their mid-70’s who are able to run as fast and as hard as I do almost every day.
And here’s the great thing about working out early in the morning before your first cup of coffee. No matter how crappy the rest of your day is, you have that in your bank. A positive force than can offset a lot of negatives. You feel good knowing you accomplished something that benefits a healthy lifestyle.
And the other big silver lining these days? Buying a new house – in Concordia.
Can’t tell you how significant this has been for me. I’ve owned any number of houses, but this one is different in a lot of ways. Much like Boulder McGraw, it was a house rescued from demolition, and today it’s a hidden gem in the middle of a country garden.
And again, much like Boulder, I adopted the house before it was even available for sale. I had a sneaky, walk-through tour when I found the back door open (Sssshh!) … and immediately thought it would be perfect for anytime I’m staying here to visit family.
More about the house another time, but for now I’ll close with this thought. We are living through a terrible period in our nation’s history. To some extent, we’re all struggling. Some have lost jobs or income … businesses are struggling to survive … and we likely feel somewhat isolated without our ability to see and visit with family, friends and neighbors.
Notwithstanding that, I suggest we all remember that there are quiet little silver linings in everyone’s life. We only have to give thought to ways in which we’ve been blessed.
Silver linings won’t take away the sting and hurt, but they serve as a reminder that there is a higher purpose. Something more than merely existing on this planet.
What’s your silver lining?
Note: Boulder McGraw contributed to this column. And meanwhile – what silver lining could be nicer than a beautiful and amazing 99 year-old Mother who will be 100 in October! And a BIG happy birthday to my sweet and MUCH OLDER sister Faith Nyswonger, who doesn’t look a day over 100!