I just read this timely story and it has provided additional inspiration for me. I thought you would like it too.
Staying Motivated
Today I want to share the story of Louie Bonpua. Louie was diagnosed with Chronic Leukemia in 1997. He joined TNT as an Honored Teammate but decided he wanted to do more. He joined the Triathlon team and completed an event, then continued to train for and complete an Ironman. When asked why he was training for a triathlon, Louie said: "Because I want to show people that you can still live, even when they tell you you're going to die." In 2002 Louie was selected to run in the Olympic Torch Relay. At the time he was very sick and had been told he had only days to live, but he fought to get out of the hospital and carry the Olympic torch. The plan was for his friends to push him in a wheelchair, but to everyone's surprise, in spite of his illness and constant pain, Louie walked on his own and carried the torch for the 0.2 miles. Louie died three days later.
I'm inspired by Louie's fight, his spirit, his determination. I don't want Leukemia, Lymphoma or any other blood cancer to take a person like Louie. So thanks for donating the funds, thanks for supporting the cause, thanks for yelling "Go Team".
Click below to read more about Louie:
http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=l_bonpua
http://www.cmlsupport.com/cmlshrimplouie0202.htm
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/01/27/MN58302.DTL
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Alexa and Papa
I want to share with you a story surrounding Wally's death - one of many - that keeps me motivated to do this run and to raise money for LLS.
Alexa is 7 years old. Her Papa, Wally, has had cancer since before she was born. In her life, his disease is a normal part of life. It has been difficult for her to understand how serious the disease is. What she does know, is that she cannot visit her Papa when she has the sniffles. She understands that it is harder for him to do things like walking than for most people and he cannot run and play with her. She understands that sometimes he has to go to the hospital for medicine. She understands that her hugs help him to feel a little better.
Alexa also knows that her Papa would do anything for her. She loves spending time with him - whether that means watching TV, fishing, eating out or reading. And she loves his teasing and his hugs.
Recently, Papa had to go to the hospital. This time it was more serious. Alexa asked her mom if Papa was going to die and her mom was gently honest that it was a possibility. Because it was so serious, Alexa could not go to the hospital and see Papa or talk to him or give him her "feel better" hugs.
So Alexa took action. She found her "Feel Better Bear" - a hypo-allergenic Build-a-Bear - in her bedroom. Alexa hugged and hugged and hugged the bear - filling it with her love. Then she gave the bear to her mom to take to Papa in the hospital. The bear stayed by Papa's side for 4 days. On the last day, Papa went to heaven.
Alexa was heartbroken. For the next several days, she held the same "Feel Better Bear" close to her heart at all times. On the day of Papa's funeral, she placed the bear in Papa's casket.
The same day, Alexa's sister gave her another "Feel Better Bear" to help Alexa feel better. Alexa named the bear Papa and he goes everywhere with her. Alexa still talks to Papa. Even though she misses him, she tells me that he is here with her and she still feels his love.
Alexa is 7 years old. Her Papa, Wally, has had cancer since before she was born. In her life, his disease is a normal part of life. It has been difficult for her to understand how serious the disease is. What she does know, is that she cannot visit her Papa when she has the sniffles. She understands that it is harder for him to do things like walking than for most people and he cannot run and play with her. She understands that sometimes he has to go to the hospital for medicine. She understands that her hugs help him to feel a little better.
Alexa also knows that her Papa would do anything for her. She loves spending time with him - whether that means watching TV, fishing, eating out or reading. And she loves his teasing and his hugs.
Recently, Papa had to go to the hospital. This time it was more serious. Alexa asked her mom if Papa was going to die and her mom was gently honest that it was a possibility. Because it was so serious, Alexa could not go to the hospital and see Papa or talk to him or give him her "feel better" hugs.
So Alexa took action. She found her "Feel Better Bear" - a hypo-allergenic Build-a-Bear - in her bedroom. Alexa hugged and hugged and hugged the bear - filling it with her love. Then she gave the bear to her mom to take to Papa in the hospital. The bear stayed by Papa's side for 4 days. On the last day, Papa went to heaven.
Alexa was heartbroken. For the next several days, she held the same "Feel Better Bear" close to her heart at all times. On the day of Papa's funeral, she placed the bear in Papa's casket.
The same day, Alexa's sister gave her another "Feel Better Bear" to help Alexa feel better. Alexa named the bear Papa and he goes everywhere with her. Alexa still talks to Papa. Even though she misses him, she tells me that he is here with her and she still feels his love.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Running poem
O-k - if you had asked me about my favorite running poem about 2 months ago - I probably would have started laughing. However, now I am on the road to becoming a full runner and I actually have a running poem that I like. I cannot say that I am the runner in the poem yet - but I can appreciate it. Maybe you can too...
Running is a road
to self awareness
and self reliance.
You can push yourself to extremes
and learn the harsh reality of
your physical and mental
limitations
or
coast quietly down
a solitary path
watching the Earth
spin at your feet.
But, when you are through,
exhilarated and exhausted,
at least for the moment
everything seems right
in the world.
-Author Unknown
Running is a road
to self awareness
and self reliance.
You can push yourself to extremes
and learn the harsh reality of
your physical and mental
limitations
or
coast quietly down
a solitary path
watching the Earth
spin at your feet.
But, when you are through,
exhilarated and exhausted,
at least for the moment
everything seems right
in the world.
-Author Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
