I love to read. I can think of nothing more relaxing that hanging in my ENO on a warm summer’s day with a good book, in good company. Unfortunately, life gets hectic during the school year and I slack off a lot on my reading. Recently though, I started a new English class that sets aside one class a week just for reading.
On the first day of silent reading I forgot to bring in my book. So, I had to choose from the limited selection my teacher had in his room. There were many books that I had already read, ones that simply didn’t interest me, and a very large variety of mythology books, mostly Greek and Roman mythology. Ever since I started reading the Rick Riordan’s books about demigods and their many adventures, mythology has infatuated me. There are very few stories that aren’t just a retelling of these old myths.
Along with my love of these myths I was also feeling very ambitious. So, I reached for Homer’s “The Odyssey”. Several years ago I made my attempt at reading its prequel “The Iliad” and gave up about halfway down the first page. The poetry in which these stories are structured is hard to follow to say the least. Yet, regardless of my earlier failure I was sure that my reading skills had matured since my last attempt. I was ready to give it another try.
Early in the story Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, is doing his best to fend off suitors who are trying to marry his mother. All of the suitors think that Odysseus is dead and are trying to take his place by marrying his wife. Telemachus is running out of ideas to keep the suitors at bay and finds himself on the beach trying to get away from all the suitors in his home. There, he is met by Athena (Greek Goddess of Reason) who convinces Telemachus to go out into the world and find his father and bring him home. Telemachus goes back to his home and tells one of the nurses to prepare things for his journey. She answers him asking “Dear child, whatever put this into your head? Why do you want to go so far in the world? Lord Odysseus died in some strange place, far from his homeland. Think how when you have turned your back, these men (suitors) will plot to share all of your things! Stay with your own, dear. Why should you have to suffer hardships and homelessness on the wild sea?” He responds simply with “Take heart, nurse, there is a god behind this plan.”
I really liked this passage because I think it does a great job depicting what a few people have thought about me going on this race. I have a lot of support from a lot of people, but every once in awhile I have people who are simply worried. They have good reason to be. The world is full of uncertainty and every one of my fellow racers is taking a giant leap into a sea of ambiguity. There will be days when I will be uncertain of where it is I will be sleeping for the night, and times when I will yearn for my cozy little hometown, but I’m not doing this solely to entertain myself for a year. I’m doing this because I feel called to it. It’s not about me, it is about the work we will be doing and the people whose paths we will cross along the way. So, to those who worry and have any doubt about this great odyssey, be assured that there is a God behind this plan, and His plan is a good one.
Thank you all so much for everything that you have helped me raise so far. What’s been accomplished in just 4 short weeks is unbelievable!! I feel so blessed to have so many of you supporting me. I don’t have words to really express my gratitude to all of you.
Within the next two weeks my season will end and I will get the match for all the donations that we have raised. My race is fully funded and it’s thanks to all of you. I will still need to raise money for my two flights to Atlanta (for training camp and launch), vaccinations, and some much-needed supplies (backpack, sleeping mat, tent, etc.). Every donation I receive is a reminder to me that this is what God is asking me to do and that there are plenty of people supporting me through this great journey. Thank you all so much!! God Bless.
