My dream was to win the marathon in the world chanmpionships. In high school, I got third place in the national competition and was chosen to join a special training program. I ran every day and only thought about the marathon. I became so fast, and I was sure I could go to the world championships. But I was wrong. Just before our team left, I hurt my leg. That was the end of my career as a marathon runner. After that, I became empty inside. Just like an empty box. I didn’t even have the energy to get out of bed.
The person who saved me was my coach. He waited until I was ready to start a new life. He never told me to do anything but was always by my side. After a few months, I noticed that I wasn’t an empty box anymore. Little by little, my coach helped me find myself again. He became the love of my life, and we got married. He still coached runners, but he never talked about running in front of me. Maybe he didn’t want to make me feel bad.
A few years later, another person came into my life. A baby that looked just like my husband. I was so happy. But suddenly, my happiness ended.
The love of my life died. He left for work one day and never came home. I became afraid. I lost my love. What if I lose my baby, too? Then, I will become that empty box again, I thought, I have to do everything to make my child happy. After that, I worked very hard. I worked so hard that I didn’t have time to feel sad that my child’s father died
Five years passed. One day, I was getting ready to move to a new city, and I found the love of my life’s diary. It was in the closet. In the diary, it said, I really want to see her run one more time. This made me cry so hard. Why didn’t he tell me this when he was alive? After reading his diary, I made a decision. I was going to run again. So I started to prepare for a local marathon. I wanted to show him that I was doing okay.
You are going to do really well, Mom. Don't worry.
I can't believe how much my son sounds like his father. Suddenly, I feel like crying.
Mom? Are you okay?
Yes. I have you, so I’m not empty anymore.
Huh?
I will never again be an empty box. My dream didn’t come true, but my heart is full of momories of the love of my life. And now I have my son. That’s why I can move forward.
Go. Mom.