http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076791855X/wwwcyclingnec-20/002-6241731-0492867
No Mountain High Enough - Raising Lance, Raising Me by Linda Armstrong Kelly, Lance’s Mom. I haven’t read it yet, but I am interested to.
The story of him growing up and her efforts to raise him set against the typical American back drop of shattered family values and erroding parent roles is likley to make interesting, if not inspirational, reading. Additionally, this may provide somewhat of an insight (pastuerized albeit) into the psyche of a man-athlete embroiled in controversy and awash with apparent success.
I look forward it.
A story of the struggles of another single mom raising children by herself. She obviously did a good job. I’d like to read it.
I admire the determination of any single parent who prevails against societal odds in being a good parent.
I dated a young lady last year with a fine 18 year old son. She had done a fine job against aweful odds. Her work ethic and dedication to her little family (two cats and the boy) was incredible.
I would have married her in an instant simply because she proved the willingness and determination to honor a commitment even when the cards were initially stacked against her. That is the most endearing quality.
To this day I day dream about how nice it would have been for us to have a marriage and family. I would have loved that, and to me it appeared to be so ready-made.
I didn’t say much about it at the time, but I really loved her, what she was all about and losing that was a real heartbreak actually.
Too bad for me in that case. Life goes on.
Mrs Armstrong is simply amazing.
Coming from a similar background(Father bailed,although much later in my life) I have nothing but the highest respect for single moms.
And the kind relationship Lance has with his mom is the single most reason I will always be a fan of his.
He is like that will all his friends that are loyal to him.
I’ll never forget that part in his book where after winning some European event( can’t quite remember), the King of Sweden summons him to meet in person,but, at the entrance to his private area, the gaurds told LA his Mom could not enter.
LA says " No WAY!..I Don’t Check my Mom at the Door"…
Now thats HUGE!!!
Family is everything…w/o them all your battles and triumphs are diluted.
Myopic victory tends to be ephemeral.
I can’t imagine getting thru a race without seeing my daughter and my Wife and friends on the course where they know I’m suffering with their signs and cheers.
It’s always given me that last burst of euphoria that life is good,its worth living, and its time to bring it on home.
Tom D…I hope you find your soul-mate one day.
Life’s too short not to share.
Fish
I found my soul mate but the planets (or whatever) dictated that there be 18 years between us. We had five very nice years together, and it ended well and continues to go on very well.
This concept of “soul mates” is valid I think. She and I still are soul mates, talk on the phone a few times a week, go out to lunch once a month or so and always consult each other in times of distress or success. She was recently promoted to run 13 restaurants each grossing well over $1 Million in sales. She has a good marriage to a fine man.
We were soul mates to be sure, in every sense of the word. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the nuts and bolts of a marriage could work, and in this case, it was better we didn’t evolve our relationship into a marriage.
An odd set of circumstances, but life is sometimes odd. At any rate, she and I are fortunate to have had each other and shared five wonderful years and a profound on going closeness and friendship. The world is filled with people who never experience even one good relationship for a few years. Mostly, based on what I see, there are a lot of people in compromise relationships for long periods with little real rewarding growth and mutual support. People tend to enter into relationships for self-serving purposes now. When they fail to maintain their utility they are discarded or no longer maintained.
I know first hand, it is better to be solitary than to be in a bad relationship. I have a wealth of excellent friends male and female and a lot of interests and my animals. That makes for a very full life.
After I parted ways with “soul mate” girl I banged my head against the wall in a different terrible relationship with a bad person for year after frustrating year. I knew from the very first date- the very first one- there were huge warning signs. But I was naieve enough to believe love conquers all. Ooops. That was an expensive lesson.
I know first hand, it is better to be solitary than to be in a bad relationship. I have a wealth of excellent friends male and female and a lot of interests and my animals. That makes for a very full life.
Amen to that brother!