It’s so clichΓ© to say that behind every great man is a woman. But I won’t say that for two reasons. One, I’m going to talk about me and my wife and I’m not going to call myself a great man. And two, I prefer to use the word “beside”.
For those of you new here, I’m a father of three and a marathon runner. My middle child, 6-year-old Jack, is severely autistic, and I decided I wanted to try to make a difference in his honor. So, my crazy idea is to run 60 marathons this year to try to raise money and awareness for a charity I’m a part of called Train 4 Autism. I named this Operation Jack and I’m hoping people will jump on the train when it comes to town. I started brainstorming in 2008 and launched it January 1 in Kingwood, Texas. One down, 59 to go.
And for those of you new here, I tend to occasionally use this space to profess my love and appreciation for my bride Tiffany. Today is one of those occasional days.
This Operation Jack thing wears us down. It’s a ton of work, but we’re seeing results and we’re optimistic this is going to have a wonderful impact. It’s exhausting, though, and we’re only in the second week. Tiff feels like she’s on the sideline, but I know this would absolutely not be possible without her. WE are doing Operation Jack. Not just me. I have my role, but she is the glue that holds five lives together.
The latest example was obvious to me last night. I’ve been spending a lot of time lately with a newspaper that’s planning on running a very nice story about Operation Jack. This will hopefully do a great job spreading the word and should be a big positive for what we’re trying to accomplish. She provided a huge role in helping me work with them to get this done.
Last night, I spent more than two hours with the photographer, taking some pictures and doing an interview on video. While I was doing this, she was taking care of the kids. That might not sound like a lot, but it involved driving Benjamin around, bathing Jack and Ava, helping calm Jack when he had a meltdown, playing with the kids and keeping them quiet for us, putting them to sleep, etc.
This morning, I came in 30 minutes late from my run because I was working with the photographer again. I had about 10 minutes to get ready and out the door to get Jack to school on time. She had the kids all squared away, she had breakfast and coffee and lunch ready for me, and she didn’t complain at all. Basically, she provided amazing support and kept everything running without skipping a beat. I didn’t like coming in so late, but I knew she’d have everything under control.
It might sound like such typical tasks, but it was chaos that was well managed and it made a big difference in allowing me to work with the photographer, which is what Operation Jack needd. It’s a perfect example of how she has a critical role in this. She’ll say it’s no big deal, because that what she’s supposed to do, but I know that as a team, we have a ton of work to do and we get it done together.
She selflessly runs herself into the ground to support everything we’re doing as a family. So if you support what Operation Jack is trying to accomplish, just know that it would not be possible without her and she’s a huge part of this. That’s why I prefer to use the word “beside” instead of “behind”. She truly is beside me and we’re getting this done together.
Crazy Weekend, Coming Right Up!
I have a double this weekend, running Jackson, Miss. on Saturday, then Mobile, Ala. the next day. There’s going to be a lot of commotion involved with this one and I don’t know how I’m going to crawl out of bed on Monday morning. But I will. And I’m going to post a blog that’s a play-by-play of what it was like to live in my nutty world for three days.
If you’re curious to see how I run on Saturday and Sunday, check back because I’ll post race reports here.
Beyond that, have a good weekend, everybody! Thanks for coming by and supporting Operation Jack!
Sonja Wieck says
Great post and so totally true. the kid tending is really tough work, and although it needs to get done, the fact that your wife is taking it on with a smile while you trounce around with photographers is solid solid strength on her part. Way to go operation Jack, we know it takes an army to make something like this happen.
I have a similar spouse, and many find it more “strange” (which is lame) b/c he is a man, and I am the woman. There are duties within every family and things need to get done, gender aside. I am so thankful for all the supportive spouses out there who run things behind the scenes so we can hog the limelight!
adair renning says
You should put all these blog entries into a book next year Sam! You are a very prolific writer, and a good one!! Hats off to Tiff for all she does to keep you grounded, and hats off to you for recognizing it :>) Adair
john loftus says
Big hugs to Tiff! She may be the glue but she is also the sparkles on top. π
All the best with your double this weekend Sam. You are S’amazing or is it SAM-azing.
Cheers,
Coach John
Ally Phillips says
Y’all have a great family in that yoy’re in it together.
So glad that you’re seeing results and optimistic about Operation Jack. I can’t even imagine how much work it is, but, know that we’re all supporting you (and your wife!) in all that you’re doing. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Good luck this weekend–crazy, crazy! Stay warm–who knew it would be so cold in the South???
Erin Fortin says
Props to Tiff and good luck/have fun this weekend!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it – and let us (readers) know when your newspaper story/pictures are published!
Erin Ruff says
Another great entry, Sam. When I tell people about Operation Jack, I always emphasize what an amazing FAMILY that is doing this. Not just you, but your WHOLE sweet little family!
Cyndi Kolonick says
This is really a wonderful adventure your family has taken on! I am inspired to find a similar way to combine my own love of running to honor my own child with special needs (CP, autism, epilepsy…)and the millions of other kids in the world who need people like us to put in the *miles* on their behalf!
It’s an honor to ‘meet’ you and to also be on the same Team Sasquatch as well! I look forward to getting to know you all better and would love to do something to contribute to your efforts as well!
For starters…I can run! π
Cyndi
(@CyndiKo)
Cyndi Kolonick says
This is really a wonderful adventure your family has taken on! I am inspired to find a similar way to combine my own love of running to honor my own child with special needs (CP, autism, epilepsy…)and the millions of other kids in the world who need people like us to put in the *miles* on their behalf!
It’s an honor to ‘meet’ you and to also be on the same Team Sasquatch as well! I look forward to getting to know you all better and would love to do something to contribute to your efforts as well!
For starters…I can run! π
Cyndi
(@CyndiKo)
Cyndi Kolonick says
This is really a wonderful adventure your family has taken on! I am inspired to find a similar way to combine my own love of running to honor my own child with special needs (CP, autism, epilepsy…)and the millions of other kids in the world who need people like us to put in the *miles* on their behalf!
It’s an honor to ‘meet’ you and to also be on the same Team Sasquatch as well! I look forward to getting to know you all better and would love to do something to contribute to your efforts as well!
For starters…I can run! π
Cyndi
(@CyndiKo)
Cyndi Kolonick says
This is really a wonderful adventure your family has taken on! I am inspired to find a similar way to combine my own love of running to honor my own child with special needs (CP, autism, epilepsy…)and the millions of other kids in the world who need people like us to put in the *miles* on their behalf!
It’s an honor to ‘meet’ you and to also be on the same Team Sasquatch as well! I look forward to getting to know you all better and would love to do something to contribute to your efforts as well!
For starters…I can run! π
Cyndi
(@CyndiKo)
Ben Fesagaiga says
Awe inspiring- Tiff that is. π I put something in the mail from T4A …. for Tiff not you Sam- you seem to have already been given many gifts. A great partner, children, and this super-human ability to put your body through some extreme abuse and keep on going. Keep up the great work and you are touching lives daily in a positive way.
meghan ling says
Props to you for noticing how much Tiff supports the family! You seem like a dynamic family and that is so inspirational. By the way, thanks for the comment you left on my blog but guess what? Sparkle Pants is really named Kaleb AND he\’s our GRANDSON!!! None the less, we adore and treasure him! Run strong, this is a wonderful blog!