In our town, there is a high school P.E. coach named Paul who I have encountered on several occasions. The first time was earlier this summer when I met him and his adult son Jakob atop a steep hill in our area that is popular with runners and mountain bikers.
As the school year dawned, I saw him again regularly at a track where I go for training runs. He had his soccer team running drills there.
I don't know how many kids are on that team, maybe 20 or so. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and abilities. When they run laps, some finish far ahead of the others. Yet, as they finish they gather and call out encouragement to their teammates. "C'mon! You can do it! Great job! Way to go, man!"
Everyone on the team cheers until the last runner has finished his mile.
It's not that I would expect them to yell, "Move your butt, slow-poke!" but they could finish their mile and just talk to each other until the rest wrap it up. Instead, they stay involved with one another, lifting each one up, making sure everyone knows they are important to the team and worth cheering.
They are learning that cheering another person's success does not diminish their own.
What a valuable lesson to teach.
Way to go, Coach!
Pace e bene,
Fr. David+
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