Amazing what can happen in twenty-four hours. Simply amazing.
To those who sent incredible notes about the Five-Foot Nothin' quest, I am not only grateful, but moved beyond words. (You can imagine how seldom that happens).To know this undertaking means something personal--the fact it means something at all to you --is a humbling honor.
Writers have a sole purpose: To be read. And writers have one hope: What is read makes a meaningful impact on the reader. I thank you.
I must admit, I was delighted some of you picked up on the origin of the blog name: The movie 'Rudy'.
One of my favorite movies of all time (that's an understatement), I am not only completely inspired by it, I can completely identify with Rudy.
After a lifetime of beating the odds, accomplishing what he was told since birth he could not...and for that matter...should not dream of doing--Rudy pursues his ultimate passion: becoming a member of the Notre Dame football team.
You see, Rudy had a best friend. One person that dreamed Rudy's dream with him...every day...with belief in his heart that Rudy was great enough to do anything he imagined--Including running out of the Notre Dame tunnel in blue and gold. It was upon the sudden loss of his friend that Rudy finds the courage to do whatever it takes to finally make his dream real.
I get that. Without that special person to dream it with you, the only solace is to stop dreaming about it and make it a reality. Yeah...I really get that.
Despite massive rejection from organizations, family support and even his fiance, Rudy finds a way. Not without healthy doses of temporary failure, not without bruises to the body and the spirit..Rudy finds himself where nobody thought he belonged - Notre Dame football.
I get that, too. As a self-proclaimed 'weed' *(*see blog post: Blowing It), I sprout up all sorts of places people don't think I should be at first.
When Rudy learns however, that his last chance to 'dress' as a player for Notre Dame (he had never put on the uniform on game day) will not come to fruition, Rudy quits. His chance to prove himself to the world will not happen and he is defeated. And like the rest of us, when we make a huge mess out of our lives, sometimes we need a 'janitor' to come and clean up the thoughts in our head. It is for the matchless scene between Rudy and the janitor that straightens him out, this blog and quest are named. I have attached the clip for you to watch.
The janitor points out despite whatever innate disadvantages Rudy has, his tenacity and diligence is proof enough of what Rudy can do.
"You're five-feet nothin'...a hundred and nothin'...and you got hardly a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in with the best college football team in the land...for two years. And you're also gonna walk out of here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this lifetime you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody...except yourself. And after what you've gone through...if you haven't done that by now...It ain't gonna never happen."
Starting today, for 365 days, I've got nothing to prove. That would be a waste of my time and energy. I'm in this quest because I've got something to give...every day that I'm breathing. And I want to give the best I can until I stop breathing.
I'm five-foot nothin'...not even a hundred and nothin'...and I'm gonna walk out of this life leaving it all on the field. Period.
Thanks for dreaming with me Laura. Now that you're gone, it's time for me to make it a reality.
Time to go cause some trouble. I'll be posting daily, my activities from the day prior...
Thank you for reading. If you like what you see, feel free to comment, subscribe and pass it on...
-D-
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