January 3, 2017 LEAN ON ME

The Hayden Keating Fun Run and Plunge is a great way to start the new year. This run is dear to my heart because it is a wonderful way to remember a special boy who was obviously dear to  many people. People gather--young and old--at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown New London at 12:00 p.m. They either walk or run to Guthrie Beach where dozens jump into the frigid water. They actually hold hands--form a link--count to three and charge in--to honor Hayden.  I do the run and enjoy watching the plunge but --I know my limitations--my heart would probably stop! The plungers are then met with towels, hot chocolate and even champagne as a way to celebrate Hayden's life. It's a community coming together to share not only sadness but the joy of having the privilege of knowing Hayden and his family.   It really is a wonderful experience--a curious mix of  sadness and joy--people reminiscing--sharing stories of yesterday--it's also sad because he is no longer here. He would be a freshman in high school now--that's the hard part. We didn't get to watch him grow up.  We are left to wonder, reflect, remember and honor him in the best way we can. It really takes a village. This idea of people helping people reminds of a truly inspirational story I read a few years ago by Markus Zusak called The Book Thief.

Set in Germany during World War II and narrated by Death, the main character, Liesel Leminger, is a sad orphan on her way to live with a foster family in Munich. Liesel develops a close relationship with her foster father Hans, who plays the accordion and teaches her to read. After learning to read, Liesel becomes the book thief--stealing books from bonfires and mansions. Books rescue her from the grim reality of war torn Germany. She then reads these books aloud to neighbors during bomb raids and later to a Jewish man named Max hiding from the Nazis in the Hubermann's basement. Find out what ultimately happens to Liesel, Max, and the Hubermann family when you read this excellent novel that was recently made into a movie. This is an easy read of about 450 pages or a 5 mile run--that will stick with you--and teach you the value of friendship and caring for our fellow man.