Bill Belew has raised 2 bi-cultural kids, now 34 and 30. And he and his wife are now parenting a 3rd, Mia, who is 8.
Ultrarunning and Life’s Lessons
I am a dad….again. I say again because I have two boys, a 26-year old and a 23-year old, and a little 1-year old (13 months.) girl.
Okay, you can stop laughing now because my 1-year old is teaching her old man some important life lessons.
I learned four such lessons from her on our way to the park today.
1. When she sensed danger, she turned to her father. As we walked a dog started barking very loudly from behind a fence. It was a small but quite noisy dog. She didn’t know/care that I might be afraid, too…she just knew that I would protect her as she hugged my leg.
2. When she felt something was difficult she reached up to grab my hand…without looking. As we got to a curb that was too high for her to step off, without missing a beat she reached her hand up to grab her father’s hand for help to step down.
3. When she was ready to take a dare, she checked to see if her father would be there to catch her. Still afraid of the slide she approached the edge ever so cautiously. Just before she took the plunge she looked down to see if I was there with my hands out waiting.
4. When delighted, she shared her joy with her father. She climbed the steps, a few of them standing. At the top, she straightened up, turned, showed off her dimples with a smile as broad as the bridge connecting the jungle jim and squealed loud and long enough to ensure I would see and acknowledge what she had accomplished.
Hmm…I know that when I sense danger, feel life is difficult, am daring to try something new and find delight in an accomplishment, I, too, have a Father who is waiting to protect, help me overcome, catch me if I fail and share those moments of joy.
Thanks for lessons, little one.
Ah…and thank goodness she got all her good looks from me. Her mom still has her good looks.
