Peaceful Bliss

I encountered something much unexpected on this week's run...I had an epiphany. For two years I've been running and training with the TEAM, but I've always used my iPod, especially on the long runs. As the team is against iPods this season, I've been adhering to the request of no music or audiobooks and trying to enjoy the team. And today I did.

I just let my mind roam free and easy and my run was amazing! And for me to say that of today's run must mean it truly was because outside it was: 1) 40F degrees, 2) raining non-stop, and 3) on a gravelly trail. My socks were soaked through before the run even started and it took a good 20 minutes before I could feel my toes again. But once I got warmed up and hit my stride, I really didn't even realize I was trekking. The scenery was nice, typical Pacific Northwest but I was able to just reflect and occasionally visit with others when I got passed or came upon some walkers.

Our mission moment was short and sweet this morning, basically, "yes its wet & cold & rainy but you could be doing chemo instead." Nothing like a reality check right? But I did have a chance to think about why I was out at 645am on a rainy Saturday morning and the conclusion was because I could. And because I could and did, someone was getting their medication paid for, enduring a chemo treatment they might not have been able to afford or that might not have even been developed yet; a child was winning their battle and a family had a network of people that understood what they were going through. All because I was running in the rain and raising money in my sparetime.

So this week's blog is short and sweet, but very to the point. Without this Society and all it does to find new cures, aid patients in getting the ones that are available and provide support and a network to families, many more would succumb to blood cancers and their related illnesses. Many children would be without their parents, many parents would be without their children and many of us would not get to experience the joy that these people would bring to the world.

In this context think about what something as little as $5 would mean, can you spare it? Before you buy your next Monster or Red Bull or Mickey D's cheeseburger, think about what you could be doing to save someone's life. To give to the cause, please visit my website: http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/awestwood.

You could be the difference in the next great cure!