"We are born astride a grave - WaynesWorldStage.com

the Island. We could not afford two cars, so inaddition to needing to drive any place she neededto go, she would also have to take me to and fromthe train station. The kids loved living on theisland and that made both me and Lyn veryhappy. Matthew and Shannon got involved in thePAL (Police Athletic League) track team. Theyhad quarter-mile races (the 440) for children fiveyear old and under.Shannon's first race was an eye opener.About fifty little kids running. At the gun, one kidtook off like that proverbial bat out of hell. By thehalfway point, she was twenty feet ahead of theothers. "By God, it's Shannon. Lyn, it'sShannon."She gave out about forty feet from thefinish line. She just stopped and rested and thenwalked across the line. She was last, but that first400 yards was unbelievable. For a while, I thinkShannon was the fastest sprinter on Long Islandin her age group.Matthew was our long-distance man. Hiscrowning glory was winning the twelve years andunder category at the Manhasset five-mile. Anadult friend of mine was in the race. He told methat he thought he was doing well until this littlekid zipped past him. Years later, in his early235