So true.

Three years ago, I was excited about facebook giving me almost daily contact with my old friend, looking forward to reestablishing a friendship I missed so much and getting to hug his neck upon his next visit home. Two years ago, I learned I was losing my friend to cancer. One year ago, I started training for a half-marathon in my friend's memory. The physical challenge as well as the fundraising goal was daunting. I can just hear Mark's words if someone had asked him to do the same. "When pigs fly!" he might have said. That's the nice version of what I thought when presented with the idea, and frankly, it's even what I thought about ever running another half-marathon after the first. Things change though. Team Mark has raised over $18,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am deciding which half-marathon will be my third and leaning towards the Washington DC Nike Womens or the...get this...Cincinatti FLYING PIG! I have been overwhelmed by the support of friends, listened to and prayed over the stories of strangers, and am thrilled beyond belief over the enthusiasm and encouragement we all give each other in the name of remembering our loved ones, celebrating life and lives well lived--not to mention, being hell bent on fighting a disease that in some way affects us all. Now, I am running and fundraising for many, not just Mark, and not just for my own goal. Now, I say, bring it! what next?! Now, I feel like I can make a difference. You can too! So, three, two, one (all together now!) GO TEAM!

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream

No request is too extreme

When you wish upon a star

As dreamers do

Fate is kind

She brings to those who love

The sweet fulfillment of

Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue

Fate steps in and sees you through

When you wish upon a star

Your dreams come true

If only…..

Appropriate though as TEAM MARK gets into full swing to fundraise and run the 20th Disney World ½ Marathon that my husband and I were watching the meteor shower and he said “Remember when we watched the meteor shower with Mark that summer?” (above song begins in my head) I remember walking down the hill to the golf course, I remember not wanting to have to go home, I remember how much I loved laughing, I remember this is how I always felt when with my friends…..but I couldn’t remember any other details really. I cried. I cry sometimes when I run too. (despite how foolish I must look to passersby) Not because it’s so hard to breathe, not because my body hurts, not because it’s so stinking hot or cold depending on the season, but because fate is not always so kind, at least in a way that we can understand here on earth, and I want my friend back. I want to be able to remember more details. I want second chances. I want to have some control over sickness and evil and I have none. Often I cry in gratitude as well. I cry because I am thankful my body will endure what I am asking of it. I cry for the good that can come from even the greatest tragedies. I cry because of the memories that I have when a song sings through my ipod. I cry when God’s grace pours down on a gorgeous morning and reminds me of the hope I have of seeing so many loved ones again someday.

Cancer took my friend. It didn’t make a difference who he was, who loved him, who it hurt. We were supposed to see each other at our 20th high school reunion this year. Mark King was our class president. He lettered in track (although, that’s just hysterical and a tale for another time). He was taken in February of 2011, the first friend of my adult life to be taken from me. I was helpless and frustrated until Coach Rachel Dunnavant Weatherly suggested the craziest idea ever! Now, as Team in Training has taught me, and my friends and family have encouraged and challenged me, I run. I run for my friend, I run for so many people that have loved and lost, I run for a cause, I run to raise money, I run for a cure. In April, Team Mark raised over $15,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We ran “at home” in Nashville, and completed the Country Music ½ Marathon. Mark’s home for over 15 years was Disney World. Won’t you please help us give our friend a Mickey Mouse salute from the happiest place on earth? “No request is too extreme” :) …no donation is too small though! Just give! And if not of your money, your encouragement, your ideas for fundraising and your support will help see us through.

GO TEAM!

Teams are made up of individuals. Without them, there is no team.

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I have a mission-to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.