Never (An Older Fiction Story I Wrote)

             Never. The word heard, though they clearly said "No."; still, I had to persist, had to try this new thing presented to me no matter how tough it was. Let me explain.

             It was 5k, and that didn't seem much to most.....unless you had COPD as I did. An immediate need was ahead of us (my family and I), and we needed money fast. Interest from a loan would be too high (and we'd have to pay it back). We couldn't wait for a paycheck to arrive from a new job; so I entered a marathon with a prize that would help us.

            I know what you're thinking. "Aren't there plenty of other less life threatening ways to get needed money? Couldn't they have worked with you to pay it off?". Not this fast, and no they wouldn't (we tried that). I had little time to do what training I could, so in a few days I trained. While I trained the resistance came. Family. Friends. People who knew me relatively well. "There's no way. You'll never make it.", and on and on; still I had to try, for my family.

             The big day arrived, and so did I. I waited, practicing the breathing exercises I learned in training, preparing myself for the "mountain" I would have to climb. Suddenly the starter pistol fired and we were off! My family and friends looked on fearfully as I began the race, praying as I ran (something I found out after). I kept pace, seeking to gain speed little by little along the path. One person, then another, passing people left and right as I ran.

              One mile went by and I was feeling fine. Breathing in and out, I was fixing all of my attention on getting to the finish line first. The second mile approached and I kept passing people, one person then another, runners of all levels.

              The ending was approaching as I ran and was leading in first place when my lungs began turning to fire. Suddenly I saw a sign at the finish held by my family, "You are our hero!!! We love you!!", and I pushed as hard as I could. Just ahead of me the finish line approached and I pushed even harder as my body pleaded with me to stop. My lungs were a raging inferno as the finish line was crossed. I nearly collapsed after crossing it and quickly got down on my knees. My family saw it. My friends saw it. The other runners saw it. The judges saw it even! Gathering around me they went to ask if I was ok. In that moment I was breathing heavy in and out. In that intense pain I reached into my pocket to grab an inhaler and take several deep breaths. They all watched while some asked why I was feeling this way. My family and friends explained to the unaware that I had COPD. Suddenly the victory took on a new meaning for all present: never give up. Never.....even when it seems impossible.

Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!


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