Cheers!

There was a great Op-Ed in today's Post-Gazette (http://www.postgazette.com/stories/opinion/perspectives/saturday-diary-thank-you-strangers-i-couldnt-have-made-it-without-you-638612/) that was the writer's story of her experience running this year's Pittsburgh Marathon. She expressed that she got into running to avoid people and to be alone; yet, the most memorable aspect of her maratthon experience was the people who came out to cheer her on.

My favorite folks were the woman who came out in her bathrobe and fuzzy slippers and placed her lawn chair along the marathon route --- she did this because she said it's what Pittsburghers do to cheer on folks and that it was a "small town thing to do;" and the Gospel Choir who sang to inspire the runners; and the little kids offering cups of water.

Be you a runner, a reader, a reverend, or a recording artist, we all need someone "in our corner" and cheering us on.

We each need some representation of the parent who consistently brings and rings the cowbell to the daughter's basketball game; the kids who ask for the autograph of the high school baseball star; the parishioner who writes the note of appreciation; the person who makes the "way to go!" phone call.

Each action of support, each encouraging word, each applause, each and every cheer lift us, energize us, widen our smiles, and lighten our burdens.

Who have been the cheerleaders and encouragers in your life?

For whom have you cheered and encouraged?

Life is a journey, we each need a cheering section. Find one. Be one.

sj;