Saturday, May 23, 2009

"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.

23 comments:

Junior said...

A beautiful post. I am truly inspired by you and Zoey. I look forward to hearing more about the upcoming marathon. hugs and prayers

Angela Grasso said...

I have all the faith and belief that you can do this, if you can print some sort of pledge forms we could print off the "new" website I would be willing to post it in my office (with a little blurb on little Zoey too) Make sure you get some sort of a tax id number as that would be helpful in raising $. Angela Grasso agrasso@wildblue.net

Ivey's Mom said...

Again today I am so happy you are my friend - unfortunately - at a distance. Over the past three years I have written about no more time to run. I try, but then reality set in and Ivey takes over, and the boys. I miss it. Boy do I miss it. Occassionaly I will go, but get frustrated that the distance my mind wants to go is not near what my lungs can go. One day though, one day. The group of girls I ran with say come back...I tried one morning, only to come home and cry, cry, cry because I slowed them down. Oh how I wish I could run this with you. Every now and again I reread the posts where I was starting up and cry some more because I never can be consistent. You go and run your heart out. I will definately be cheering you on....and maybe get that time to run too - I think we might just be kindred spirits.

Ivey's Mom said...

And I forgot, this quote beyond all others, is how we get through each day. We live by it!!! Literally - gwen

Karen Owens said...

praying today for your little love bug!

Kristen's mom said...

Small world... 2 of my daughters are training with Team in Training for the same marathon in San Francisco in October! Kristen is their inspiration. You go Girls!

Denise said...

Way to go girl!!! I did a half marathon a few years ago with Team in Training...just for the heck of it. Now I feel that God was already preparing me for this new journey of mine. I have no doubt that you will conquer this just as you seem to conquer everything else. See you tuesday!!

Scrappy quilter said...

I look forward to reading all that's happening through the next weeks when it comes to your upcoming marathon. I'll be cheering you on.

Mama Mason-Mann said...

Good luck Heather. It all sounds so very exciting! You have to do things for you too and since running is what you love then this sounds like the perfect thing. I find myself unable to do things completely unrelated to Chloe right now and we aren't even close to the sort of crisis you guys are in. I am excited for you. It sounds like a wonderfully healthy thing to do (both physically & mentally). You go girl!

Anonymous said...

How exciting! You will fly Heather and we will all be behind you (or close by in some way, shape, or form)! Go Mom Go. Love to all, kisses to Zoey, prayers abound, Christi Harman

just jean said...

What a terrific goal! I have no doubts that you will accomplish this task, fundraising and all. Remember to be patient with yourself, and keep your eyes on the end goal. You already have exibited the kind of courage this task involves.

Victoria Strong said...

This is beautiful and I know you will feel uplifted doing this -- and very tired :)! So proud of you and know you will do really well with this remarkable attitude and outlook as your guide. You inspire me and Zoey is so lucky to have such an amazing mom.

Hat said...

That's fantastic!!! Congratulations, you'll do wonderful! Wanna know something funny? Ryan and I were going to do that same 1/2 marathon ... in October in SF right? We were committed, then we realized we're crazy and we already have too much on our plates so we'll wait until next year. How fun would that have been to run together though. Darnit! I just threw the paperwork away today. ;) Give Zoey love from KS for us!!!

Lacey said...

What a great thing for you to do. I think running will be something for you to get your frustations and stress away. I wish I had your body and energy, I should be there, you could inspire me to run with you and maybe I could get into shape. I'm excited about this, how's my baby girl?

Kele said...

Oh I love it! So excited to hear about your training! This is so AWESOME HEATHER! I am pumped for you!!!!!

Loren Stow said...

Good luck - I am sure you will run like you have wings on your ankles!
What an amazing way to celebrate, connect and give back!
Well done!

Shelly Turpin said...

Wonderful! i think it will be a wonderful thing to do! It gives you something concrete to do. I will start saving my pennies.

Peter Olson said...

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
2 Cor. 12:9 (NIV)
I pray for you, Zoey and your family. I am on Day 126 post bone marrow transplant. I am fighting a relapsed AML M4. It was not a marathon but I set a new record for walking the floor at the U of M Hospital, BMT section. 306 laps, 17 miles, in 19 hours 53 minutes (walking all but the last 5 laps with the IV pole on wheels) I kept thinking that I had expected to die before then, but here I was setting a new record instead.
I encourage you to prepare for and run that marathon.
May God bless you through this tough time.
Peter J. Olson
peterjohnolson@hotmail.com

Jeana said...

That is so awesome! I am so proud of you. You will absolutely love training for and running a marathon. Especially for such a great cause and purpose. I have a great book that I used to help me train and prepare for my first marathon last september, "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett" I learned so much through that experience, and I believe a lot of it has helped me and will help me through this next chapter of my life.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to honor Zoey and so many others. You will do it well!! Count us in for a donation!!! The Beinert/McRae Family from Otisco Lake, and now from Winchewster , Tenn.

Anonymous said...

YAY!! and you have the best trainer in town by your side :)

If you ever need someone to watch the little kiddos while you are out running, let me know! I'd be more than happy to come over and help out!

Best,
Amanda

Cheri said...

YOU sooo impress me!!! My opinion...this is just the right time to be out there running! What a great way to honor and support the 4th floor children and families you have to come to love and cherish so dearly...indeed their wings will enable you to fly!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing reason for you to run...thank you for sharing your story...I happen to stumble accross it looking up the verse...I myself am doing the Houston Marathon in Jan, 2010. First marathon ever. But like you said you're doing it for a reason...my prayers are with you and Zoey...blessings to you all...