Mr. Olsen, God rest his soul, always saw the good and the strong in my elder daughter, who, though blessed with a natural talent for running long distance, suffered through a miserable adolescence and young womanhood and has not yet lived up to her potential. If she takes to heart the example of Larry Olsen's life, she one day surely will.
None of my daughter's myriad difficulties diminished Mr. Olsen's high regard for her, as a runner and as a young lady. We did not know Mr. Olsen well, but every time we ran into him, be it in Uxbridge, MA on a five-mile trail run or at the Stowe 8-Miler on a steamy July day, Mr. Olsen saw only my daughter's virtues and encouraged her unstintingly. Given Mr. Olsen's enormous talent for the sport and a career of astounding achievement, my daughter was compelled to take him seriously when she would scarcely give the time of day to anyone else.
I remember Mr. Olsen's reaction whenever he learned that my daughter had not won a race or had not run well or was battling yet another injury: he was surprised every time. In spite of my daughter's misfortunes, Mr. Olsen insisted on viewing her in the brightest possible light. He saw greatness in my daughter, and trusted that in time she would grow into it.
God bless you, Mr. Olsen, for seeing the best in my daughter and for lifting her spirits when no one else could.