The Chicago Marathon
This weekend my daughter kissed her two young children goodbye, left her home in West Virginia and traveled to Chicago to run in a marathon.
She’s been getting up at five o’clock in the morning to run, get the children off to school and then go to work all day, for months. Her dedication does not surprise me, she’s always been dedicated to life, and everything it has to offer.
Evaluate your goals to gain,
assign a value to your pain,
give it all, leave no remains.
Nothing tried, nothing gained.
Negatives should all be told,
bogus plans cannot be sold,
make new plans, learn from the old.
VICTORY rewards the bold.
Seek out those who are end-users,
avoid the shouters and abusers,
resisting change is for losers.
Set the stage become a mover.
Champions are made not born,
express your values, shine the worn,
glue together what is torn,
Achieve your goals, be reborn.
-Michael Charles Messineo
Congratulations Michele!
Love, Mom
Posted on October 8, 2012, in all things American and tagged Chicago Marathon, dedication, Michael C Messineo, photos, poetry, sports, winners. Bookmark the permalink. 22 Comments.
flyawayhomebook 
Oh, Maggie – she’s absolutely gorgeous. You must be so proud (heck – I feel proud just reading this! I might even have got a little misty…) 😀
Yes! She always makes me proud… Thanks for your lovely comment!
Michele is AWESOME!!! All your children are Wonderful Margaret!!! You’ve done a Fantastic job as a Mother ❤
Thank you and I also have three lovely nieces named Catharine, Christine and Allison 🙂
Thanks for posting this- I got tears in my eyes. Luckily, my parents instilled me with tenacity, and taught me not to give up.
What’s next? Who knows? But I’m sure I’ll come up with something….:-)
I’m sure you will… Love you!
Congratulations Michele! I admire anyone who runs marathons and does triathlons. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline and I know you are very proud of her:)
It does take a lot of discipline, I’m not sure I could do it…
Fantastic and I can see who she “belongs” too – you are so alike!
Yeah, she belongs to me and I did look like that… many moons ago!
Congratulations Michele!
Thanks Donna!
This brought me to tears Maggie.What a wonderful tribute from a wonderful mom. This is the best that life has to offer. Your choice of a poem is also excellent and your character shines through. What a gift to your daughter!
Thank you June. I just wanted to let her know how proud I was.
Congrats to Michele AND to you, Maggie. Your daughter is so beautiful….I see “you” in her face & in her determination!
Really? Thank you!
Wonderful post and tribute to your daughter, Maggie. She is beautiful and joy radiates from her in every pictures. You must be so proud!
That is fantastic..and how lucky for her to have such a proud mama to share her success with all of us! I went to see a friend finish a half marathon over the weekend, and I always get a little misty eyed watching runners finish something they worked so hard for! Congrats to your girl!
Wow, Maggie! You have reason to be proud, and so has she. What amazing determination and spirit. Ya done good, Mom!
Beautiful, in every way possible!
Wow maggie, I haven’t been here in a while and what do I see when I start reading, something that is so wonderful that I will leaving crying! Written by a beautiful loving woman who is fiercely (and justifiably) proud of the achievements and values of her daughter, also her family. Just really awesome! Every woman who becomes a mom and then wonders if it is all worth while should read your words! They speak volumns of love and truth! You do make me proud to be a Mom and a woman! Penny
I was in Chicago last weekend visiting my daughter and for a business trip as well – love the city 🙂 I just read Michele’s post about her experience – all I can say is awesome!