alongside a man who, before work at 4 a.m., would run every single day, felt absolutely amazing. During this time, I was reminded of the first 5k that I had ever run with Bryan just a few short months before. The time of the race symbolized, I believe, the time I had with Bryan. Bryan began to pick up the pace and was soon out of our sight. Although I was not with him long, neither in life nor in the race, it was a very special time. Every single moment with Bryan was special—and is even more special to me now that it is in the past. Although he was gone only a short while after, in both the race and in life, he was, and still is, with me. The middle section of the race where Bryan was out of our sight was the toughest part of the race. Although he was not in sight, I knew that he was still running the race with me. At this point, when “side-stitches” and minor pains arose, I just kept charging on and pushing through hoping to catch a glimpse of Bryan somewhere. From time to time, as we turned corners or changed our route, I would catch a flash of the great man. This portion of the race symbolizes my life right now. Just like in the race, Bryan is not is sight but I know he is always living with me. There are going to be tough times in my life without him, and in the lives of my family, where we are going to have to slow down, catch our breath, and keep charging on just like in the race. From time to time, we catch small glimpses of Bryan in our daily lives. In times when I find myself on a lonely road on a long run I think of Bryan and I feel a small piece of him in me. The final section of the race was the finish. By mile-5 it was just my dad and me running alongside each other. At this point Bryan had already completed his race and was awaiting us at the finish line. Exhausted, I asked my dad, “How much farther?” “Little less than a mile!” he replied. As we continued on that final portion of the race, we turned a corner and saw a long straight-away with a large sign that said, “FINISH.” Knowing that my grandfather Bryan would be there, with a smile upon his face, to greet us at the finish, I sprinted with all I had left. Once I crossed the finish line I found Bryan who greeted me with a smile and a big hug! This portion of the race symbolizes the finish line of life and how I have hope and belief that Bryan will be there to greet me when my time on this earth comes to an end. Although Bryan crossed the finish line before me, it gives me something to look forward to when I reach the finish line myself. So as I lie astonished at the realization that this race was a metaphor of my life with Bryan given to me by the Almighty Father above, I felt immense joy that God had finally opened my eyes at how symbolic that Crescent City Classic 10k was in my life. I now am assured that, although there may be tough times in life, I will be able to continue on by the motivation of glimpses of Bryan in my life. Finally, I know that when I turn the final corner in my life and I see the “Finish Line” that I can be reassured that my grandfather Bryan will be there to greet me in my eternal home with my Savior, Jesus Christ.” As I sat on my bed, with tears pooling in my eyes reading the letter to myself that I had saved for so many years, I was renewed with a sense of joy and anticipation to do what I have come to love in those many years since that 10k–to RUN! Senior season of cross country is now upon us and I wish time would slow down. In this last year of running, I want to do just what that letter reads–to finish strong. I have been blessed with a wonderful high school running career and I am excited and expectant of the things that this final year will bring. I forever will remember the day I ran my first 5k after my grandfather Bryan passed away. It was then that I fully realized and felt the joy in running that he had for so many years. I am forever grateful for the man he was and that he saw a talent in me that I would never have recognized myself. Every time I toe the line this season, his memory and spirit will be with me. Knowing this, it’s going to be a great year! God Bless, Austin Bourne ______________________________________ Austin is the son of Rob and Abbey Bourne. His sister, Ella, is becoming known for her cross country as well. 26 • Winter 2018
Hometown Brandon • 27