“The really happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery even when they have to take a detour.”
Sir James Jeans, physicist and astronomer
At age 35, I had no plans to ever run 26.2 miles in a marathon race.
Now, here I am, a senior citizen, telling you I’ve run that far in races over forty times and I’m getting ready to do it again.
What happened?
This tale begins in 1971.
I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was nineteen years old, on a ship off the coast of Vietnam. After eighteen months in the service, I was more than certain that I was not meant to be all the things Marines are famous for.
But what was my future?
I discovered what I believed the answer was in a book called, The Lunacy Boom by William Zinsser.
It was about all the zany things going on in America. Included was a story about a Clown College operated by Ringling Brothers Circus. I could feel it in my bones, this was my destiny. In a few short weeks they promised to teach all the skills required to perform in their famous three-ring circus. I sent for an application. But before I could experience the thrill of performing in The Greatest Show On Earth, there were some things in my way.
I still had another eighteen months of service ahead of me. Then I learned out of thousands that applied each year, Clown College only accepted 80 students. I considered my options.
With an honorable discharge from the Marines, I was entitled to money for a college education.
So the first stop on my way to Clown College was Ohio University then look out Ringling Brothers – here I come. It took a while but in time I earned a degree. Along the way came marriage, fatherhood, divorce, financial setbacks, and a whole lot of depression. I applied to Clown College year after year. And year after year they turned me down.
I started making regular visits to counseling in an effort to get my head screwed on straight. It was not easy. For a short time, I was on medication. Following the advice of a psychiatrist, I laced up my first good pair of running shoes. A whole new world began to open up for me. I felt better. I made some great friends. I helped some worthy charities. And with a stack of finisher medals earned some bragging rights.
This long detour has been a real treat. I’m happy but I still want to be a circus clown. Ringling Brothers is out of business. So after I finish The Boston Marathon, I’ll trade my running shoes for a red nose and some grease paint. I’ll start looking for another circus. I hear there are some great clown schools in New York City.
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
George Eliot, novelist and poet
Jerry, you rock!
🤡
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Thank you, Neil. Hope to see you at the circus! Have a great day! Jerry
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