Sitting in a non-descript library, I began to tear up. I was watching a video of Secretariat’s victory in the Belmont, the final of the three Triple Crown races. The race was in June 1973. I was 11 years old at the time.

The video was the actual footage of the race, including the post call by Chic Anderson. In the background was symphonic music. The end of the clip included both still shots and moving pictures of Secretariat as an active race horse and in retirement.

Let me know if you’d like to get the link.

I think the reason the video was so emotional for me is that I began to think about the people in my family who were alive on that afternoon of the Belmont. Counting an aunt and uncle, there were eight of us. Now, 38 years later, there are three of us left.

I also got to thinking about all of the events and people from that time that are now mere memories. Nixon, war between the Arabs and Israelis, Vietnam, and dozens more events and experiences. Three television networks. A black telephone on a desk. Turn-table stereo. And on and on.

The people and things in 2011 will disappear with all the speed that swept away the world of 1973. Time goes so fast. Your time as a person, as someone who tries to be a leader, is short. I think I understand a little better now what the Apostle Paul meant when he made a similar point.

There I sat, the realization of Secretariat rolling over me. I’ve watched it a couple of times since my first viewing in the library. The emotions have settled down. The reality is a powerful as ever.