Day 5 - Happy Birthday America and Scenes of My Life!

"America the Beautiful" was written by Katharine Lee Bates of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Today was the annual Firecracker Four Miler in Stow.  The pictures show that the beauty of America isn't just in our nation's landscape but also in its people and spirit. This lovely lady in the picture below is Linda Nahrstedt. Linda and her team including John Roseman and Anne Baranek and many others put the race together every year.  It's always hot and its always well organized. Linda then moves on from the race to make sure the annual 4th of July parade runs great from the city's perspective.

This is who Linda will be in another life as she is always energetic and positive. Let me also mention  she's a phenomenal runner! 

This is one is of me and my favorite oral surgeon and good friend Mike Hoffman.  That's my church Holy Family in the background. By the way, his wife Ginny qualifies for Boston every year.

Oh what the heck.  Here's Ginny.  She's too fast to be photographed usually.  This was a lucky shot. She should wear a singlet that says, "Hello" on the front and "Goodbye" on the back.

Here's a great one of Judge Linda Teodosio about to mow down a runner. Her husband Tom, also a judge, and their son Christopher have a foundation in the name of their daughter Andrea who unfortunately was lost to a skiing accident.  The family has taken their grief and channeled into helping others. They very much believe in "Hope, Humor, and Opportunity" in every negative situation.  Their daughter's memory and the work of the foundation has inspired me and honors how Andrea lived. On days when I need an attitude adjustment to get back to a positive frame of mind, sometimes I stop by Andrea's memorial in Tallmadge Meadows Park and run the meadow and the attached trails. 

The lady I'm related to by marriage who is also known as "The Boss" or "TLMH" which stands for the "Lovely Mrs. Hailer," and my next door neighbor Aaron Hawkins who is moving to Nashville.  Happy picture but sad at the same time.  Absolutely one of the finest men I know.  In many ways like a son. Alas, we are a mobile society.  Great in many ways but soon to be missing a good friend.

Ryan McGuire and my granddaughter Katy May-Hailer are shown below. Both have a deep desire within themselves to push the limits when running.  Ryan is a critical part of the Summit Athletic Running Club.  Katy is becoming a better runner every day.  John Roseman is her coach.  He knows what he is doing when it comes to coaching.  Did I mention that The Boss was slightly behind her with no chance of Katy slowing down to let Nana, who started Katy, in running catch her?  The student learned it from her Nana.  I love it!

Katherine Lee Bates wrote about as beautiful a song as she could in "America the Beautiful." But as these pictures show, the true Spirit of America is not only in the scenery but also in the hearts of its people.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Today was my day of rest on my running schedule. Today I got to admire the passion of many folks I know, free to pursue a simple dream of competing against themselves really and looking to be just a little bit better within themselves.  The picture of Nobska Light below is from Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Well John Mellencamp.  This may be a good time to go out on "Ain't that America for you and me; Ain't that America something to see?" Sure is!

God Bless America and thank you for these beautiful people who come in and out of my life and then back in.  I love it!!!