Ryan,His Friends,and His Incredible Torch Run
We met in a biology class.Ryan Schroeder sat in the front so that this motorized wheelchair wouldn't get in the way.
I,however,believed that he wouldn't have gotten in the way wherever he sat.I greeted him with a "hello!"and he replied cheerfully.Later it proved that this simple"Hello!"was all it took for Ryan and me to become great friends.
Ryan suffered from cerebral palsy and had endured many an obstacle.Yet,he is able to go on living life to the fullest.
He knows the old saying,"When the going gets tough,the tough get going."to the deepest and most personal extent.
The highlight of our friendship came in our junior year, when Ryan asked me to hold the flag that would mark the spot where he would begin his Olympic torch run.When he asked me,I didn't know what to say."Why me?"I asked.He gently responded that he would be honoured if I would accept this position.He said that the Olympic committee sent a letter saying that the person that holds the flag must be someone important to him,and I was important to him because I was the only true friend he had ever made that talked to HIM and not to his wheelchair.How could I refuse such a gracious compliment and request?
On June fifth,I took the flag and reached Ryan's starting point early.By then,the streets had begun to fill with students from the surrounding schools and the area residents.Everyone was excited and the patriotic atmosphere was set.Then came the van that carried the torch runners.All of the runners got out except Ryan.They lined up outside of the van and began to chant his name: Ryan!Ryan!Then all of the people that lined the streets joined in:Ryan! Ryan!All I could do was not to cry.
The lift then lowered Ryan to the ground.There he was,in all his glory.People saw him for Ryan and not for his wheelchair.It all became slow motion at the sight of the arriving torch.I gave Ryan a hug and then stepped into my spot.The runner lit Ryan's torch and then Ryan began his journey.As he took off down the street,the chanting became louder and louder.The excitement filled the air.I could not have been any prouder of Ryan!He deserved this moment in time-a historic moment that he was a part of and allowed me to be a part of,too.
That moment will last forever.It symbolized the whole meaning of the flame:love,enthusiasm, and brotherhood.It showed us all that love is really what makes this small world go around.