Bringing Up The Rear

No. This has nothing to do with a new exercise.

Actually, this is more about the last wagon in the caravan, the last runner in the coliseum, the last pony in the derby.

Victorious people seldom consider those who make them look so damn good.

How exciting would it be to go to Talledega and see ONE car for 500 laps?

Yippee.

A possible (yawn) hoorah.

Or how about the Olympic games with only one 'competitor' in an event. What's the incentive to beat your time if you are the only one who is in the event? Most of us lack the motivational skill to be a lifetime subscription to 'personal cheerleader daily'.

Even the most wonderful cheerleading people I know have bad days and suffer some depressing moments.

So let's take a look at those who bring up the rear.

While not celebrated in story or legend, those who are last aren't quitters. They just didn't finish when the medals were handed out. Instead they just finished.

They are the farmers who kept plowing with hope in their heart and a firm belief that one day it would all work out. Even if it never did.

They are the people who work every single day in a job that doesn't ever get noticed - until it isn't done - and then they are railed against instead of thanked for the brilliant days when they DID perform up to par and no one noticed at all.

They are the kids who never see the honor roll, but who become honorable citizens who defend, protect and preserve all that we hold dear in our nation.

They are the kids who warm the bench and keep cheering enthusiastically even when they only get to play when the team is either so far ahead or so far behind that anything they do will never make a difference.

They are the women who cook so many meals that they have forgotten for a family who is on the run to yet another activity and are thanked in passing like a jet practicing take-offs and landings at Miramar.

They are the parents who keep supporting wayward children without enabling them and have calloused knees from the prayers that someday, somehow this child or adult would find the courage to buy a clue.

They are the checker at the local discount store who has been on their feet all day at minimum wage only to see their check disappear each week just to make and pay for a bare living.

The folks in the back of the pack are eating the dust of the success stories. They are the ones who, despite being nourished on a lot of unfulfilled dreams, keep plugging along firmly believing that tomorrow just 'might be the day'.

They get up each day and start fresh just waiting for their ship to come in.

The people in the rear may arrive last, but they arrive nonetheless.

And what do they get for their calloused, worn and abused bodies, minds and spirits?

No earthly token will ever suffice for the folks who bring up the rear. Instead, I envision a scenario where all who have been out front basking in the warm glow of trophies and accolades are all standing in line with the folks who are, even then, bringing up the rear.

St. Pete in his gentle voice begins to explain the procedure for entering the celestial realms.

Those who have enjoyed earthly fame and fortune, who's personal collection of hardware and awards could fill a dump truck and who have been blessed to be front runners through life will be asked to take one step to their right out of the line.

When this is accomplished, they will smile benignly upon those who were NOT in front of the race to eternity and wait to receive their crown of glory. But it will not come.

Instead, they will be given the task of robing and crowning those faithful few who just kept putting one foot in front of the other because it was the right thing to do - even when no one noticed.

The front runners will hand out the hymnbooks and the sandals, then stand aside as those who served as the wind beneath the wings of the winners in mortal life are now asked to serve the people who made it possible for the success of another - and always with no thought of personal gain.

I have no proof that will happen.

I have no evidence to support it.

But it would be just recompense for all of those in the Family of God who made sure that someone else was able to be the lead dog in the pack, even if it meant they, personally, became invisible.

Time to give up a cheer
to those who bring up the rear
Time to give up a shout
for those who worked it all out!

Put your hands in the air
for their unselfish care
clap your hands, stomp your feet
for those who made life sweet!

I don't know if there are pompoms in heaven.

But I think there should be.

Even those who bring up the rear deserve a finish line and the cheers of the crowd.

It's only fair.