I love the line in Forrest Gump where Tom Hanks nonchalantly
states in a monotone voice: “So I went,
again. And I met the President of the United
States, again.” It’s clever, truthful,
and provides insight into what made Forrest Gump a movie worthy character.
If the World Race was a movie, my line would read something
like, “So I went to the clinic, again. And I found out I have an intestinal parasite,
again.” Yessir, during the night of Day
123 of the World Race I stirred in my sleep for hours, felt an uncomfortable
rumble in my tummy, and orally released the last few days’ worth of food before
the rooster even crowed. Honestly, I was
probably in the minority because by month four most participants had already
had at least one, “(Insert Name) is sick” email sent out. (For those perceptive readers, the first time
I had an intestinal parasite I was able to start popping pills early enough to
nip it in the bud before it really started making its presence known.)
As I write this my right temple is getting periodic spasms
of pain, my epidermis wouldn’t mine being back in Pittsburgh’s weather, and my
legs ache just like all those senior citizens back at my last athletic club
would always complain about. Am I telling
you this for pity? Of course.
But this really is something that’s been in my thoughts and
on my heart a lot recently. In every
opportunity to react to something, my character is being tested. When he responds in frustration, do I in turn
speak harshly? If a situation is not
handled in love, do I raise the bar and love first? When a mistake is made, is patience or pandemonium
the natural reaction? When it’s not just
questions in a blog, does my character exemplify an accumulation of acts or the
solidification of a habit?
Although I’m not feeling like I did after the Steelers won
the Super Bowl last year-I will probably be traveling when the game is aired
this weekend. Yes, more pity please.-I need
to remember that I am blessed. Even
though I’ve convinced myself that everything would be all right if I was at
home in bed with my mother taking care of me, I need to remember that God’s
favor is all around me. I am surrounded
by people that will go pick up yogurt for me.
The local stool and blood test clinic is about a seven minute bike ride
away and only cost $3 total. Plus, I
made it until day 123. That’s saying
something, right?
**All pictures are taken from an upcoming video I’m creating entitled, “Cambodia by Bike.”
New Reader? Feel free to add your email address in the
space provided on the left to receive blog updates.
