"For we walk by faith,not by sight"~ 2 Corinthinas 5:7

In my case,for tonight's purpose only,I am going to switch out walk in this verse, with ... run. Because you see, my little excursion this morning was all about that .... running.Those who know me,know,I use to love to run.Some people hate running but not me.I have always found strapping on my ipod and hitting the road, therapeutic and freeing.However,over the last 2 years there has been no time at all,not even a moment, for running or for that matter,any exercising,period.And I have missed it.So for a girl who seldom does anything half way, I am jumping in,head first or should I say feet first and began,this morning,training for a marathon.Specifically the Nike Women's Marathon.By my side or more than likely,way out in front of me, will be my amazing daughter Jessica.As you may or may not know,Jess ran her first marathon last year as part of Team In Training. Her baby sister Zoey being her personal inspiration.At that time, Zoey's TMD seemed enough to qualify her as a survivor,at the tender age of 14 months.Little could we have known,back then, that today, May the 23rd 2009,Zoey would be knee deep,fully immersed in the fight of her life with AML.Jess continued running this past year,even becoming a mentor and running coach with Team in Training.With the LA Marathon preparations coming to a close on Monday,Jessica has decided to once again become a full fledged participant and set her sight on the Nike Women's Marathon.A marathon that has solely benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the last six years.I have been toying with the idea of running it myself for the last few weeks.I haven't discussed it with anyone.Just asked Jess a few questions and then,last night at around 10pm,decided why not?Right now might be the very best time.My inspiration comes not only from watching my daughter fight for her life,battling this horrific disease over the last 7 months but my inspiration comes also from seeing first hand the embodiment of true courage in the fight of countless others,just like her.Today after coming home and showering I did not question my decision or my ability to do this.Not one little bit.Instead I will rally my body and spirit,push myself to my limits strictly because ... I am able.I am healthy.I am strong.I am called to do something and this seems like a great place to start.The biggest challenge I see is the fundraising aspect.It is a requirement to participate.A big chunk of money but the cause it goes towards,all well worth it.I am very poor at asking of others.Monetarily especially and especially in these tough times.Jess and I have some joint money raising ideas.Some I will be doing here.All that I am excited about.Soon we will have our own page set up for people to visit,see how our efforts are going and if they like,to donate.I am called.No, am actually required and expected to give back and this is a start.I am truly excited.Not nervous but truly excited.There are some wonderful things planned over the next few months.I cant' wait to share it all with you as it comes.This all feels hopeful and purposeful at a time when very little feels purposeful.I hope you will all stick with us on this next journey.The day we leave CHLA certainly won't be the end.It will actually be the beginning and this,this is an awesome start.I can't promise that each week I will feel as upbeat.I am sure there will be moments where I will say,what the heck and who the heck do I think I am ?Old,out of shape and busy.Seriously busy.But in those moments I will look at Zoey and all of her friends and say,I will do this.I will succeed.I will because I am able.I will because they do.They will carry me when I am tired and they will whisper ever so gently to me,don't worry,you can do this,we are right here with you,propelling your heart because we now dwell there with you.Thank you my 4th floor wings.You will not only help me to run.... you will enable me to fly.