The Iron Man was life changing, and not just for Fuzzy. We spent so much time planning and thinking and waiting and dreaming and Fuzzy spent so much time working and working and working and training and working so hard to reach this goal. And it really brought to light for me so many amazing and important things. Here's some of them in no particular order.
Life is incredible. Humans are incredible. We can do anything we set our minds to. I am sure Fuzzy was terrified when he clicked that registration button over a year ago, and now the event is only a memory. Hard work and dedication and commitment to a project is everything--everything is doable.
Time keeps on going, no matter what. We often are so goal oriented. "If I can get through this week, then..." Well, guess what, you can, and you will get through this week, that week, anything. As long as you don't give up, you will get through anything. Scary events in the future will turn out to be just one of hopefully many days in your life.
What is important in life? We have existential crises all the time. What are we doing? What is the point? What is important? But you know what is important? Life! And the things you do in it. Work/your job isn't everything, especially if you are doing work that you don't love and that doesn't nourish your heart and soul. The people you surround yourself with are important, the family you are given and the "family" you choose to surround yourself with are important. The things you experience are important. Finding joy in daily life is important. Laughing is important. Doing things out of your comfort zone is important. Challenging yourself to embrace each day as a gift and to do things you are afraid of is golden. Striving for something more is incredible.
Life is a gift. It is what we have. We can't ever give up.
The Reid family has had a lot of sadness over the years. It feels like it has all been death and sickness all the time, and for the most part, that is what is has been. But beautiful things have happened. Major life changes, major discoveries, major developments. I am so blessed by the inspiration that I have in my husband and in my brother and sister-in-law, who each took major leaps of faith. Fuzzy challenged himself to do one of the world's hardest athletic events. Christopher and Katie moved across the world to live in an impoverished country. They each took a major risk, and in seeing their actions, I am inspired to do the same.
We often live in fear. But that is so unneccessary. Why are we so afraid? And of what? Anything unknown is scary until it becomes known. How does it become known? You do it. I am choosing to not be afraid of anything. Of sickness, of my own success, of my own limitations, of the potential of failure, of others. I am going to live in the moment and love who I am. It is all I can do, and it is awesome.
The Iron Man brought all of this to light for me. On the surface, yes, I was just the wife of a guy who decided to do a big triathlon. But the whole event meant so much more. It is a symbol of living life to the fullest. It is going to be hard, but it is worth it.
Life is worth it.
Fuzzy and I are forever changed. And the exciting thing now is the question, "What's next?" The possibilities are endless.
