5 Life-Changing Weeks

I'm back. I didn't think I would be. I even told some friends this past weekend that I was done with this blog stuff. What's the point? I enjoy running but I've done a lot of races. How can I possibly top Chicago or Disney? It's going to be quite the challenge to get PR's anymore. I think I've gone about as fast as I can go in all distances. Maybe not, but what else do I write about on here. Nothing interesting in the world of running is happening to me. I'm tired of searching for running topics.

However, something else has happened to our family recently and is still happening to an extent. You see, when I started this blog, it was meant to simply cover my running adventures with a little family stuff mixed in. That's it. Now, I have always been a devout Christian and faithful member of the church, but I didn't feel I would mix in a lot of that because that wasn't what this blog was about. And to be real honest, I didn't want to turn anyone off to this blog by being too preachy or "holier than thou". So I didn't mention much about my faith. I think I mentioned prayer a couple of times, but that's it. I kept my faith and my spiritual thoughts to myself. That's the kind of guy I am. Or was.

5 weeks. Exactly 5 weeks (10:00AM). 5 weeks ago right now I was in the church at a funeral. I was on the front row. That's where family sits. Just a few days before, I would've never dreamed I would have been at that funeral. I was happy, excited, so ready for the next exciting phase of my life. I was gonna be a father again. 3 sons. My dream had come true. But God had other plans. Most of you reading know what I'm talking about but for those in other places who might be reading - my son Griffin was buried 5 weeks ago today. He was born dead on March 27. I won't go into details today. Maybe another time. But it's safe to say that we weren't expecting it. It's changed our lives. We don't even know how much yet. But I know it's changed and will continue to change mine - in many, many ways and more to come. The biggest? I'm much closer to God. I want to spend more time with him. I want to see him and be with him. I also want to be with my son. I miss him. He's happy now so I'm happy. But I can't wait to see him one day and I will.

And I want as many others to join me there. I'm going to Heaven. Are you? Shame on me for hiding God from this website. Shame on me for trying to hard not to offend. Shame on me for not having the courage to proclaim my belief in a loving, forgiving God. God has called me to come to Heaven and bring as many people as possible with me, so that's the new point of this website. I'm still running. More about that later. But now I've found a race that will top Chicago, Disney, even Boston (though I'll never get there). I'm running the race of life and at the finish line is Heaven. The ultimate prize. AND I WILL FINISH THIS RACE.

This website will now be used to try to influence others to join me in this race and to finish. You may have noticed the title and logo change. Running here on Earth is still important to me and I will keep at it and talk about it on here. But no more daily miles posted (only weekly) and no more running goals. Instead, I plan to talk more about my race of life. If that doesn't interest you, don't read. If it offends you, I'm truly sorry, but that's who I am. I won't deny my God anymore. I won't be scared to shout his name. He is real. I've got so much to say, but I'll save it for another post soon. This is my attempt at an introduction to my new theme. We'll see how it goes.

I got to hold my third son for about 3 hours, give or take. He was perfect. He was wonderful. He was mine. In that time, although not nearly enough, I fell in absolute love with him. I cannot wait to hold him again. And I know this is how God feels about me.

I love Griffin and I love God.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert