We expect to have to bury our parents at some point in our lives, but
not during our childhood. Try to imagine the gut wrenching pain and absence of
losing a parent while looking forward to what is supposed to be some of the
best years of your life and when you will need your parents the most. This is
especially true for a daughter needing her mother; left is a void that can
never truly be filled.
Despite the tragedy of
her mom’s death during her freshman year in high school, Lacey Orth, now a
senior at North High School, has become quite an accomplished young woman. She
first made Semi State in cross country as well as State in the mile in track
her first year in high school. The last time she spoke with her mom was over
the phone during city Regionals at Central High School, which naturally Lacey
won. Her mom had told her that she loved her and it was at that moment that
Lacey recalls “I knew she’d always be there for me in spirit.” Unfortunately,
her mom lost her battle with cancer that night and Lacey wasn’t there to say
goodbye.
Throughout the grieving
process, Lacey said there were times that she was angry at herself and with track
and field for all time she missed with her mom that was spent running for
competition or practice. However, despite the fact that Lacey could have
dwelled on what she lost by her mom’s death, such as the talks about guys,
shopping for prom dresses, and all the mother/daughter talks that wouldn’t happen
right before the big moments in Lacey’s life; she instead gained a sense of
purpose to continue to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Due
to the accountability she felt to do something to make her mom proud, because
her mom ran at Lacey’s age, she followed through with track.
Since that year she has
gone on to win many cross country races, especially standing out her sophomore
year by winning Sectional, Regional, and All-State. That was enough to get her
noticed by Indiana State University, who has given her a full, four year
scholarship to attend for track and field. Lacey plans to major in occupational
therapy and go on to become a therapist, but she’s not yet certain about what
kind. She said that she gets her biggest support from her family, especially
her uncle Mark, who has pushed her to become a stronger athlete and make good
decisions.
Lacey was dealt a
difficult blow at the beginning of her high school years and there are many
others that easily would have had made worse decisions instead of accomplishing
as much as Lacey has. When asked why she runs, she replied, “I run for my mom.”
Now she will be going to college and can continue for another four years
running for her athletic muse.