TRANSFORMATION

Brrrrrrrrrrr. Alarm clock goes off. 5:45 am. (Again.) Memphis, May 9th. Heavy rain. Stiff muscles. Another day. 9 miles per each in the girls’ team.

Before starting our mileage we visit a Montessori school. As we are reaching it in a beautiful area by the Mississippi in Memphis, the rain stops and the sun is coming out. There is something special in the air. Our Bulgarian runner, Maria, is taking photos of some little birds and we are eagerly planning our ceremony for the children.

The principle Maria Cole is greeting us most warmly and happily. She takes us to the classrooms and when we see the children with so much sweetness and enthusiasm in their eyes we forget about the stiff muscles and the long day, which is ahead of us, we just enjoy our time with them. All the kids (from 4 to 14) get thrilled by the torch and probably also by us: four strange but smiling girls wearing the same uniform and speaking with foreign accent.

We present some episodes of our everyday life: jumping into the car – driving – running – passing the torch to the next runner … Then we introduce ourselves and our home countries, and together with the children we imagine harmony while passing the torch around.

“All right, kids! Let’s take a photo of everybody now! Come closer and say: Harmony!”

“HARMONEEEE”

“Great!”

Fascinated by the torch brave children are getting ready for joining the Harmony Run for 2 miles along the Mississippi. Some are sprinting ahead with one of the most eager “kid”, the outdoor teacher, Mr Fletcher. Being little tired myself, I’m staying behind with some younger children and walking peacefully.

While chatting they give me a vote of confidence and share their future dreams: Sarah would like to be a writer, Jack is going to be a scientist and my other companion in the walk (whose name I forgot, sorry, wearing black) wants to be a great marshal artist. As they talk I get a glimpse of their characters and I can already imagine them in their dream professions.

The fast 8th graders are finishing their 2mile-loop and meet us again, we are joining them for a little while again. But soon time to leave. They have to go back to school and the road is waiting for us. They give back the torch to us, and we say good-bye.

We smile. It was so nice. Energized by their joy and with a warm feeling in our hearts we take off for our running.

No rain. Only the clear blue sky…

Linda (Hungary)

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