<$BlogRSDURL$>

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Mom 

Sometimes you experience something or someone in your life that makes you reflect on things in your past. Yesterday a conversation with a friend caused me to think about everything my mother has been through over the years. Those of you who know me well know everything that she has dealt with. She is truly a remarkable woman and when I pause to realize all that she dealt with, it leaves me in awe of her strength, spirit, and resolve.

When I was in 6th grade my mom and I were in a pretty bad car accident. I walked away fine, but mom had continued to have problems with her knees and back for years after. Those probably still cause her difficulties now, despite it having been about 16 years ago. In the spring of my senior year of High School my parents sat me down in our living room to tell me that mom had breast cancer. I honestly can't remember much of that day, other then the word "cancer". I can't recall if Kiersten was there or in St. Louis. I can't remember anything else said, just "cancer". I don't believe that I displayed much emotion then, but then I again I don't often make my emotions all that visible. Mom had surgery that spring and started chemo soon after. She had 6 months of chemo, and never lost her spirit through one bit of it. One could say that our family wasn't that close going into mom's cancer. We had drifted from each other and in a way we just living our own lives. That experience brought us back together and to this day mom still says that she wouldn't trade her breast cancer for anything in the world because of the fact that it brought us back together. Could you imagine saying that? Its been almost 10 years since mom's surgery and she is still cancer free, but unfortunately that's not all she's had to deal with. Mom had open heart surgery a little over 3 years ago. She's also diabetic and suffers from fibromyalgia. A day without any pain or fatigue is a great day for her, yet she still keeps her spirit and resolve. If you were to meet my mom today, she wouldn't try to hide any of her health issues from you. If you were to ask she would tell you everything in a matter of fact way. You would walk away from the conversation not feeling any ounce of pity for her, but a sense of awe of how she lives her life.

When I ran Chicago I wore the LIVESTRONG bracelet as a reminder of how I wanted to live and how I had trained. LIVESTRONG is a fundraiser for cancer research and Armstrong foundation, so there was another reason that I wore it. As I struggled through the last 4 brutal miles of the run, thoughts ran through my head of how painful this was and how much I would love to stop running. But every time I glanced down and caught a glimpse of the yellow on my arm I thought of everything that mom has been through and I realized that if she could persevere through all of the obstacles in her life, then surely I could survive these last few miles of my run. Thanks, Mom.

Friday, November 12, 2004

in america 


I sat down to watch In America tonite (yes, I know - what an exciting evening, Tom!) What a wonderful movie though. This was the second film in Kyle's God In The Movies series, which I unfortunately missed last week. Now I'm anxious to know what the sermon covered. There aren't a lot of films that have caused the old eyes to water up a touch, but the end of this movie definitely got to me. Must have been some dust in the room or something. The other movie that got to me was the very end of Saving Private Ryan. YEP.... Definitely some dust in here...

I GAVE BLOOD TODAY!!! Yep, its true. I really gave blood today. We did a blood drive at the office today and I always feel so guilty that I don't give. My blood type is O+, so I really should give on a regular basis. However, I REALLY don't do well with needles going into my veins, nor blood coming out of them. The past few years I've been in the clear due to travel locations that I have left me ineligible to give. Tragically though I have not traveled outside the US in the past year, so I had no excuse except my own fears. Did you know that they prick your finger too??? Its bad enough that I have to let them stick my arm with a needle, but now I have to let the prick my finger!!!????? I almost left on that one, but I braved on. I was good to go once the needle was in. It wasn't too bad and I might actually try it again.

That's about all I know for now ~ Cheers

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Blank 

Again, not sure what to write about today, so just writing. Sitting watching the news on Arafat at the moment. Mostly commentary on what type of man he was. The current question they are debating is whether or not the US should send any representation to his funeral. I don't really have any thoughts on this at the moment.

Went to go see Team America with the Nance's last Sat. Very over the top. Very. Guess I should have expected that though. You really actually do expect it, but then you sit watching the movie is disbelief and find yourself saying, "damn - did they seriously just go there?" That being said "I'm Ronrey" and "I Guess Pearl Harbor Sucked Just A Little Bit More Then I Miss You" were quite funny.

Another member of the blogging family, The Wasson. Wass is one my best friends from back home and he's decided to start a blog. Feel free to check it out sometime.

Okay - so I'm making a blogging effort here and I need some of you to rekindle you blogs. That's right Dudley - I'm talking to you. Don't run away Evans, I see ducking out of the room.

What up with peeps who read blogs, but don't comment? I recently found out several of my high school friends read my blog, yet say nothing. No bueno people, no bueno.

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

On The Road Again 

Back to my running again and feels great! I ran Monday and today which is the first time since the marathon that I've run two days in a row. Definitely very much needed lately, so good to lace up the shoes again. Thinking about running the White Rock half, but not positive. I just need to put some 5Ks on the calendar so I can keep myself going on the training.

Work went well today - the presentation is over with and went quite well, so I'm happy.


Monday, November 08, 2004

Just Typing... 

I sat staring at the blog today and contemplated two things. One was writing something, except the fact that there wasn't really anything that I wanted to write about. The second was just retiring the blog all together. I'm not really sure many people read this anymore anyway, so why not just put it to rest. All that being said I'm here typing.

Have you seen NBC's new show? The 25 million dollar hoax? Seriously - where do they come up with these things?

Do things really come in threes? I'm hoping not.

Big presentation tomorrow at work. Its my quarterly business review to my boss' boss. I've gotten used to doing them, but its always good once its done with instead having to get ready for one. I'll be happy about 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Currently watching The Whole Nine Yards - such a good movie! The Whole Ten Yards, not such a good movie. Nine Yards though - hilarious.

Books - just got three new ones, but I still need to finish reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. New books: Eggers new collection of short stories; Hell or High Water; and Sex, Drugs, & Cocoa Puffs.

Life. Sometimes I just don't get it. Oh well.

Cheers


This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?