18 January 2008
Release
Posted by Deborah Pieri under: Deborah Pieri .
It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me. Things are always very busy at school, particularly in January when we study the rainforest and my students and I turn the classroom into a rainforest. I’ve put in some really long days at school and at the Y (my second job), but have managed to keep running 4 or 5 days a week. I think that’s what helps me keep my sanity . . . . to stay centered.
I really enjoyed our long run last Sunday with Run Gazelle. I arrived at Aquinas feeling anxious and stressed. After 10 miles, I felt calm and happy. . . . .ready to release yet another child into the world.
After the run, Tim and I drove our 19 -year old son, Sam to Lansing. On Monday he flew to San Diego to start his journey through bootcamp. Boy has this been hard for me. Sam is my fifth of six children, so I know something about letting go, but I’ve never had to let go to the Marines before.
In the weeks before Sam left, I kept thinking back to when he was a little boy. He was such a peaceful, easygoing little soul. He had huge brown eyes and the most beautiful curly hair. One Sunday morning in church recently, there was a little boy with big brown eyes and curls. . . I lost it. . . fought the tears the rest of Mass.
Love for a child is an amazing thing. I would do anything for any of my children including give my own life for them. Here is my son, enlisting in the Marines during a time of war, willing to give his life for his country. My God this is hard. I have no say. . .no control. I know he’s a man, but in my heart he’s my little boy. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried, but I have to say that I am far more relaxed than I was.
I owe a lot of that to Mike and Terry, our two wonderful coaches . . . and former Marines. Their kindness and reassurance has been such a blessing to me. They have patiently and honestly answered all my questions about the Marines. I suppose some would call it coincidence that our paths would cross at this particular point in time. I do not. I believe very much in a higher power, in God. All things happen for a reason, even if we don’t understand them. I thank God in His wisdom for connecting our lives. Thank you Mike and Terry for shattering my many biases about the military. . . . you guys really are very sweet. . . . of course in a “totally masculine way!”
Our children are not our property. They are with us for such a brief time and then we set them free. . . little birds from the nest. . . .to hopefully make the world a better place. From what I hear Sam will be doing a lot of running and physical conditioning over the next 12 weeks. I think of him often and pray for him always, particularly when I run. He was running a lot before he left, so I think he will be fine.
My own running is a powerful force in my life. It has, and continues to carry me through the many bumps and triumphs of life. Running is a gift, one that I never take for granted, but always rejoice in!
Please keep my son in your thoughts and prayers.
Deb
8 Comments so far...
Doug Bostian Says:
19 January 2008 at 11:27 pm.
Deb,
What an amazing story! You embody the spirit and fortitude of running and rungazelle. Running is not only a source of strength and solitude, but a way of bringing people together that would otherwise never have met.
Your running strong! As Coach Woj says, “No Limits!”
I will keep your son and all the man and women serving our country overseas!
doug
Bob Estes Says:
20 January 2008 at 3:48 pm.
You have my prayers for Sam and your family. Thank God for brave men and women like these and the mothers and fathers that raise them up. See you soon!
Shelly Says:
20 January 2008 at 6:43 pm.
Deb–it was nice to see you (if only briefly as you all buzzed past me) for the RL run today–your strength is evident, as I have no doubt it is difficult for you to not have heard from your son yet but you put on a great brave face. You will hear from him soon, I’m sure–and please know you and your family are all in our prayers that he stays safe in his new life as a Marine. Your son has a wonderful role model in you!
Timothy Says:
20 January 2008 at 7:02 pm.
I must separate myself from my body sometimes, when I run. It let’s me not feel in a physical sense the road under my feet. It allowed some of us today, Sunday, to run around the lake. Thank you all, for allowing me to go a few steps with you. Of course no matter how good one is at, not feeling, in a physical or an emotional level, there are limits. We still feel, thankfully, that is what makes this whole darn world so great. To be able to feel the road, and Heart that is straining at loss and change. Sam’s going to Cali. and the USMCRD, is to attempt to separate the person from the institution. I have a huge admiration for my son, and the decision he has made. While I do not necessarily understand the reasons, I respect his decision. I respect his Heart, and his willingness to not do the easy thing, but to test his whole self. Our runs aid us in our attempt to feel a bit of what he might be feeling as he moves through this training process. Enough said.
Steve Kelly Says:
21 January 2008 at 4:43 pm.
Your son joins a list of brave heros who guard our fences. God bless him and your family for your service. We’ll keep you all in our prayers.
Terrence York Says:
21 January 2008 at 5:15 pm.
Deb and Timothy, Mike and I are here for you both and for every road warrior. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you even if it doesn’t have anything to do with training.
Terry
Justine Pieri Says:
22 January 2008 at 3:17 pm.
Hi Mom, and hello to all of her other fellow warriors! I am Deb’s 4th-in-the-line daughter…. I just wanted to make a post to let you know I was on the website and checked it all out…After reading your blog, I still can’t believe Sam is becoming a marine and is being turned into a warrior himself. I may not know or understand his reasons for joining, but I stand by my family and am immensely proud of him. Even though you and Dad are all hippy and peace & love, I think that, ironically enough, it is the values and strengths that you instilled in all of us that is giving Sammy the drive right now to do what he is doing…Well, anyways, this website is so official, isn’t it completely kick butt that you are on here, Mom? Oh and I wanted to say that I have some understanding for your running passion after reading all of this; I guess while I was constantly praying for you to heal when you were sick, I didn’t realize that you were doing your own best self-medicating with running. I can only hope that I find an outlet like that…maybe kickboxing? We need to get that back at the Y downtown…Sorry I get distracted easily, especially since I am supposed to be researching for my 40 page capstone paper, but am playing on this website instead. I Love you Debby and keep those knees up (get it? Instead of “keep that chin up”, its knees, you know for running? I’m so clever….)
Kelly Says:
24 January 2008 at 8:12 pm.
Wow Deb!!! These postings are wonderful. You are such an inspiration to me and others. I truly feel blessed to have you as a teaching partner and friend. You know that Sam and your family are always in my prayers. Don’t worry about school too much. The rainforest will live on for a couple days if you don’t get to something right away. I hope you know that you can always count on me for anything. Keep running my friend 
and God bless you!