UPDATE: They finished and the results are as follows (this 1/2 marathon was 13.1 miles, not KM people, MILES!)
Dad - 3 hours 35 minutes and 11 seconds, finished 8876 overall and 2777 in the mens category
Mom - 3 hours 35 minutes and 11 seconds, finished 8877 overall and 6100 in the women's category
Great Job Guys!
I'm going to be late for church this morning. At least, as it stands right now, I'm going to be late. It's 9 am, and I'm supposed to be getting dressed, feeding my kids and heading out the door. Instead, I'm sitting in my recliner, still in my PJ's, glued to my computer.
I'm not stuck here because I'm still trying to design and get ready to release something new and fantastic (although I am and it's pretty much causing my brain to catch fire). It's not because Facebook offers huge amounts of entertainment (haha), or because blogging is that distracting.
This morning I'm sitting in front of my computer watching a video, one that's a live feed from Denver Colorado. And I'm watching it with tears in my eyes, all because of my parents. Partly because my Mom is an emotional soul and passed along the loosely tied tear ducts, but mostly because what they are doing today is so great!
Today they are doing the Rock 'n' Roll Denver 1/2 marathon! Of all the things I thought I would tell you about either of my parents, I never even imagined I would be telling you that they are participating in a marathon of any sort, 1/2, 1/4 or upside down. And yet, here today, they are!
One of the things that Bill Philips the organizer and founder of Transformation.com does every year is organize a marathon to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. This marathon holds so much for so many, the chance to help someone else, another step in their journey, an opprotunity to have a little extra exercise and, for people like my parents - a chance to acheive a dream they didn't even know they had.
An accident a few years ago has left my Mom with a back injury that haunts her days, that makes doing some of the simpliest things excruciating, that has taken so much from her. My Dad has a bad leg, in fact to say he has a bad leg is an understatement. He has a knee that is trashed, destroyed and in desperate need of replacement. Over the years his drive to work hard and get 'er done, has caused him to be less than kind to his body and that body is starting to speak up. Some nights he can't sleep, inspite of the pain medicine, because the hurt is so deep.
Today, they took the back pain and the knee pain and put it aside. In fact it's kind of like they flipped those hurts the bird. My mom has been training for months to do this, because she had to. Because she wanted to, because somebody's little kid needs her to. My Dad has been training, when he's not working right along side her, because she asked him to, because he loves her and because he wouldn't rather be anywhere else.
The pride that I have for the both of them is HUGE! It's intense and it's all consuming! My parents are doing a 1/2 marathon today ya'll, and that is pretty freakin' awesome! I have so much to say, but I don't think I can face saying without sobbing, it's that emotional. Not being there today, to hug them as they cross the line is hard, heartbreaking even.
This transformation thing has given me a new Mom, it's given her perspective, insight and brought into her life new and old friends who, until they arrived she had no idea would be so important to her. They are the voices that encourage when her family can't, they have been the ears that have listened when she's had a broken heart and they've allowed her, a woman with more love in her pinkie than the Dahli Lama has in his whole body to love them back.
Anyways, there's more to share and it will come but for now I'm going to say "Chow!" this blogging is cutting into my watching time and I need to go.
But check out the link above to watch them, and please, if I never ask you to comment again (which I will because I'm needy like that) leave them a comment. Encourage, congratulation, say Hi, tell me your shoe size for all I care, but tell my Mom - Jackie and my Dad - Darwin, how awesome you think they are!
Congratulations Papa and Grammy (Bummy), Mom and Dad - we are so very proud of you today and each one that follows!
3 comments:
That is so amazing! I ran a half healthy with no pain and it was HARD so for them to do this with their conditions is beyond inspiring.
Congratulations Jackie and Darwin! Your daughter's pride is one of your rewards!
My Darling Ashley... oh my darling. I love you so very much!! Daddy and I missed you guys there today. We passed a couple with two little girls on the side lines and they were holding a sign that said "Gramma and Grampa we are proud of you" I almost lost it, ok so I did a bit. Then as we turned the corner there were two people who had been affected by a disease in their child holding up the sign that said " Thank you Transformation and Make a wish love from us". Trade that moment? no way! Each step that hurt Dad and I both said, this is for the kids. Heck I was even dancing in the streets doing the two step saying out in my loudest voice, this is for the kids. We love you so very much, miss you terribly and have so much to share. One thing I need to share is that Bill Phillips doesn't organize the marathon, it is one that is Denver. The rock and roll series of Marathons. He always tries to organize the national get together around a marathon here. And... always always this generous man has it set up for us to get pledges to Make a Wish. We love you and are both soaked in tears once again, not because of doing the marathon but because of the love of our daughter, her family and our son. Thank you for putting your heart out there for us, for watching us (how cool!) and for being you. You are truly an angel that God brought into our lives 27 years (almost 28) years ago!!! Love always Mom and DAd
Congrats Jackie and Darwin! You are both such amazing people, and an inspiration to many (myself included.) {Big hugs!!!}
~Leila~
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