The Five Second Rule of Life

My Dad died February 24th, 2014- 2 days before his 73rd birthday and 68 days after his cancer was deemed terminal. This is not about all the horrific details of his illness and the end of his life. I live with that every day in my head- no need to put it into print. If you have ever been through the slow demise of a loved one from an illness- you know too much already and I am sorry. If you haven’t- I hope you never know. This is about how much I learned about life in the face of death. I hope in sharing, maybe you can have a  field guide of sorts from my point of view.

My Dad lived in northern Indiana; I live in metro Atlanta. His wife called December 19th, 2013- one week before Christmas- to tell me the results of the doctor’s visit. Last report was that 80% of the main tumor that was discovered in July was gone, so we had high hopes this lingering 20% was just a blip on the radar. He had beat cancer in 2001 and had 12 years free, clear and good health- so why wouldn’t it be? You develop a false sense of security when one beats the odds like he did. Unfortunately in this situation, when cancer comes calling for a repeat rendezvous, it is going to take what it came for initially.

“The results are back and it’s not good- it’s terminal. Your Dad has 9-12 months without treatment, 14-16 with.” Just like a passage in a book would describe (that I always thought was so dramatic until I experienced it) – it felt like that phone to my ear sucked all the air out of the room and I couldn’t breathe. I get it now. It’s amazing how the finality and reality of simple words can shatter your brain and heart into a zillon pieces instantly.

Talk about your mind going into overdrive. First, the distance- 650 miles away. I couldn’t just stop by after work, to check in, hang out on the weekends, run errands, etc. Nothing I could do on the daily to help them. Should I go up there now? Should I take a month off and stay? Play it by ear? Wait and see? We’ve got 16 months tops, gotta be sensible, gotta plan, gotta figure this out. OH MY GOD MY DAD IS GOING TO DIE NO MATTER WHAT I DO OR DON’T DO. Boom.

So again…it was the week before Christmas. I didn’t want to tell my 13 year old son the deal until after Christmas- I didn’t want him to worry or be upset. But I did tell him that on the 26th, we were going on a road trip to visit Grandpa since it had been awhile. With my brain staying in overdrive, I was making my best attempt to Clark Griswold the situation by being the jolliest asshole this side of the nuthouse. I was failing miserably, but trying for the Oscar. I had shopping to finish, motions to go through, so on and so forth. I was in a store one evening, and when I went to check out, the cashier was so rude and hateful. I hadn’t done anything other than walk up, set my stuff down and say “Hello”. I mean, mumbling, slamming stuff into bags, etc. I thought to myself “MY GOD, LADY- if you had ANY IDEA what I had going on in my life right now, you would probably be a little nicer to me. Kind and compassionate even!”

*the light bulb went off*

Sometimes, you have to be smack-dab in the middle of your own hell to fully understand this.

I didn’t have a flashing neon sign above my head saying “CAUTION- FATHER IS DYING. EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD- HANDLE WITH CARE.” Nope. There was nothing about me on sight that would warrant preferential treatment. She had no idea what was going on with me, just as I had no idea what was going on with her. Maybe she was tired, hungry, had holiday stress, family issues, etc.; or maybe she was just an ass honest. But how were we, complete strangers, to know anything about the other during our brief interaction? Why would she be more kind to me than usual and why should I not take her behavior personally? Why would/should either of us invest a vast amount of time trying to get to the depths of each other’s psyche for a 1-5 minute interaction?

December 26th, 2013

Do you follow the five-second rule with food? You know, you drop some food on the floor and you have five seconds to grab it up, blow any dust/dirt off it and eat it like nothing happened? I know I’m not alone in this. I hope. Anyway, when I left the store that night, I pondered what had just happened, and decided that from then until the end of my days, I would follow the Five Second Rule of Life. Meaning- in the brief interaction we have with strangers, it is not fair or right to treat people poorly based on your personal/emotional situation. In turn, there is no reason to feel bad and let it linger on you if someone treats you poorly when you did nothing to deserve it. Very simply? Don’t hand your baggage off to someone that doesn’t share your itinerary, and don’t take someone’s baggage with you just because they thrust it at you, handle first.

That 68 day span that was the ending of my Dad’s life was spent going a thousand different directions mentally & physically. I went to work because I had to- not just to make a house note, but to maintain normalcy in between travel and the reality of it all. I spent a lot of time in planes, trains, automobiles, airports, car rental counters, hotels, truck stops, restaurants, hospitals, etc. and in the end? The funeral home and cemetery. All of these situations involved people. Complete strangers that may/may not have to interact with each other. I tried my best to not just be my usual self that is nice, but to step it up a notch- to smile more. Be kind and engaged in the moment. To not just say thank you, but to make sure I communicated my graciousness. The bulk of my thank you’s were (are) extremely sincere and had nothing to do with the situation- it was more of “Thank you for being kind & decent to me when I need it most”. I wasn’t trying to fake or force anything- I simply wanted to be a better person to whoever I was dealing with. Maybe they needed someone to be kind & decent to them, too. I wanted to maintain a constant reminder that someone else’s behavior towards me most likely had nothing to do with me, and that we can’t control how people treat us, but we are in absolute control of how we feel because of it.

One weekend that I was in Indiana, Dad was in the hospital and I was staying with him. I stepped out for a breather and to get a snack at the convenience store down the street from the hospital. If you lived anywhere in the US during the winter of 2013/’14, you KNOW it was brutal everywhere, even for the typically warmer-climate states. The snow had stopped for a minute (after dumping a good 5” in the course of the day), but the roads were a mess and it was -4 degrees just to set it all off to miserable, frozen perfection. When I came out of the store, there was a man with a snowplow on his pickup parked next to me. Unfortunately for him, I decided I wanted to have a conversation with someone completely separated from the situation at hand. Plus, it had been ages since I lived anywhere that snowplows stored during the summer are as common as swimsuits stored during the winter. So, I began babbling about the plow and snow and bless him, he played along and talked right back. We talked about how much work he had done this winter, how Atlanta shuts down in this weather, etc. He had to get back out to try and clear the roads as much as possible before the next round of snow showed up, so he says to me as we’re parting ways, “You know, you must be one of those people that are just happy all the time. You got a beautiful smile, and you been smiling the whole time we been talkin’- when your teeth ain’t been chattering.” I thought to myself, “MY GOD, MAN- if you had ANY IDEA what I had going on in my life right now, you would know how much saying that means to me; that I get it. That it shows in my actions. And that I’m going to be alright.”

I just smiled and said “Well, thank you. I guess I am one of ‘those’ people. I have lots of reasons to be.”

February 15th, 2014
I had brought my boyfriend, Donavan, with me this trip- I knew time was getting short, and I wanted him to get to meet my Dad before it was too late. I asked him to take a picture of us. I didn’t know he got the bottom pic. Sweet friends printed and framed it for me. I will treasure this picture/moment/memory until the day I die, and I am forever grateful to Donavan for freezing time for me by capturing this.

Now don’t get it twisted- it’s not that I became the embodiment of a love child between Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. Oh no. I’m still a flawed human that can rage and be a jackass with the best of them. What I am saying is that I became hyper-aware of time. The time you have in life does not deserve to be wasted by being miserable or dwelling on the misery that someone pie’d you in the face with. There were times when I did drop my basket from the sheer weight of it all, and it was around people in the know of what was going on. Not that it made it okay for me to act a donkey, but at least they knew it wasn’t about them.

There were also a few beautiful and harsh realizations during those 68 days and all the days after. As in, there’s an old saying of “Truer things are spoken in drunkenness and jest.” That should be upgraded to “Truer things are spoken in drunkenness, jest and death.” My Dad told me a lot of things I’d have never known, and I told him the same. Things that may not have ever been said so openly and easily had we not been painfully aware of how limited his days were to be able to do so. There were people that came out of nowhere/everywhere, unexpected people, on a daily basis (to this day, still!) that extended a kind word or gesture to me and my family, to let us know they were thinking of us and so sorry for our loss. Then….there were also people during Dad’s gloaming, death and after that were awful. I should say behaved awful, maybe they aren’t genuinely awful people, but they have certainly made it difficult to separate the behavior from the person going forward. People who were in the same boat of loss, sailing down the same river of grief. At a time when everyone should be paddling together to get through, they opted for sledgehammers to bust holes wide open to upend what they could amongst one another. Everyone experiences grief and loss differently- there are no rules. However, it is also not a contest. When that loved one dies, no matter how you are associated with them, guess what? NOBODY WINS. Except death- death wins every time. That person is gone. The beauty is that the people left behind can share that person’s life together- memories, stories, pictures, etc., to try and help ease the hurt their absence creates. But when people choose to lash out for whatever reason and alienate those around them that could really be beneficial to them? You’re on your own. To sink. I’ve always tried to be a big dog and stay on the porch- this circumstance was no different. I tolerated way more growling than I would on a normal basis, simply because of the situation. But….when growled at too many times, trust and believe that I not only barked back, but bit. Several times. I haven’t been anyone’s doormat for a very, VERY long time and was not about to be one for anyone during/after this because I was convenient. Nope. I also realized you could apply the Five Second Rule of Life anywhere, stranger or not- the only thing I did to warrant poor behavior was to be present, therefore, I’m not going to carry this with me any longer. I have been hurt, pissed-off, sad, shocked, etc. for a while over many things. Then, I realized…. “Oh hey- no. No, no, no. Nope. You don’t have to feel that way over this. NONE of any of this has been about you- it’s about them and whatever burden they are carrying that they are trying to unload where it doesn’t belong. Set it down and walk away, Lisa. Remember- it was never yours to begin with.”

And I have.

March 1st, 2014
Yes, I took pictures at my Dad’s funeral. Yes, I am glad I did and have them to remember how honorable that ceremony was. No, it’s not up for debate if anyone thinks I was wrong or right in doing so.

I like to think that all that transpired in 68 oh-so-short days were the last lessons my Dad had for me- that you may be struggling through the worst time of your life, but there is always something good. You’ll always have enough good to share as long as you are aware and willing to embrace the good you have. Don’t give someone what nobody needs and don’t take what was never intended for you that nobody wants. There were also multiple reiterations of another life-lesson he instilled in me long ago- “Don’t start no shit, won’t be no shit and don’t take no shit from anybody.” A whole lot of that lesson right there.

SJB
2/26/41-2/24/14
US Navy 1958-1979

Dad wasn’t a perfect man- he had many attacks of the dumbass (his most-used saying long before Red Foreman came about) during his years. He said/did hurtful things, made bad decisions and poor choices. Just like every other person in existence does in their lifetime. But, he did more right than wrong. Hence why my memories and conversations concerning him are of the good- who he was, things he did- his kindness, compassion, sense of humor & wit, always ready to help anyone with no expectations of it ever being returned, his love for this Country and his pride for being able to serve it 21 years in the US Navy. Anyone that knew him would tell you he was a great man (even without him being around to slip them a $20 for their words). He is missed so much by so many, but left a legacy of love and respect that anyone would be proud of.

Dad may have loved me since I was born, but I loved him my whole life.

Rest in peace, Dad. Because you KNOW when I meet up with you again, there won’t be much rest nor peace. Also know this- I remember your good. You had so much and always shared. Even when the dumbasses out there make it really hard, I am trying to do/to be your good.

Every day. ❤

One of Dad’s favorite songs. He was a helluva Pip to my Gladys.

 

 

 

I’ma Dirty Girl!

4-30-12 I’ma Dirty Girl!!!

The Dirty Girl Mud Run was held Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at Aaron’s Ampitheater at Lakewood in Atlanta, Georgia. This was the first time they had this in Georgia- I sure hope it’s not the last!! It was a 5k obstacle course through mud/water- girls only, no smelly boys allowed! The event was promoted for all ages over 14, all sizes, all fitness levels, etc. It wasn’t timed- just do it and have fun. Some of the proceeds from entry fees went toward breast cancer research. A win-win all around. Almost 7,000, I repeat, SEVEN THOUSAND women participated in this. I could die and go to hell and talk my way out of staying, but I sincerely do not have all the words or ability to use them properly to express what a great day/great time this was. Therefore, I will try to tell it to you in pictures.

Before I really get started, let me tell you a little backstory here. This is me and my friend Amy. She lives in Ohio. We’ve know each other over 20 years (even though she is in only in her 20’s- I got your back Amy, see?) We hadn’t seen each other in fo-eh-VAH- these pics are from a couple years ago when she flew down to Savannah for a weekend of debauchery with me and my rowdy friends. Please note- haven’t seen each other in a million days and we’re both wearing vampire shirts. Go figure.

In discussing the event on Facebook the other day, Amy said that if she could, she would do this and asked me to do this for her. Amy has several health issues- ones that no one in their 70’s should have to deal with, let alone anyone our age. She never whines or asks “Why me?”, she always faces everything head-on with a wicked sense of humor. Her asking me to do this for her became a mission and an honor- I am healthy and able to do this, so I needed to do it twice as much. Let me tell you…I did. I ran, I walked, I climbed, I rolled around in mud and got soaking wet. I knew I didn’t sign up for this to stay clean or rush through it, especially not since I was doing it for two. Like I told you, Amy- this mud’s for you. I hope you enjoy these pics and see how kickass you did and how much fun you had. We were awesome together. And you can be a mean and demanding bitch- I didn’t want to climb that cargo net but I was sick of hearing you call me names in my head….

This is my friend Matt. Please note, he has the best seat in the house on the way to the event if I must say…HA! Matt is one of my BFF’s. Saturday, he was off work and could have done 100 other things, but he chose to spend the day cheering all us on. Plus he ain’t stupid- watching thousands of women rolling around in mud and water?? Pffft…..he’s got this!

 Here’s Miranda, Beth, me & Olivia, Warrior Style.

These are the registration tents. Remember- almost 7,000 competitors staged in 15 minute waves.

Talk about fellas that support their ladies- this is the Titty Titty Bang Bang Clean-Up Crew!

 You better call the vet because these puppies are SICK! Didn’t know there was a gun show in town, eh?

(I kill me, really)

This is my BFF Laura. She always says that I run with scissors and she follows behind to keep them sharp. When I asked her to do this, there was no hesitation because she knows that my insane ideas haven’t gotten us killed (yet) so she was all in.

Even brought her daughter Sara to participate, too!!

 Laura is also a Zumba instructor…we can spot each other easily.

 Here’s one of the obstacles we could see from the start- I love this pic because it looks like cupcakes on a string.

Here we are, ready to rumble! We were on a team, MUDder’s Finest, but technically we were split in 2 divisions of that team. I’ll talk more about that in a bit and you’ll get it.

 This is Tammi, we’ve known each other…sheesh, almost 20 years too? Again, there’s more to the MUDder’s Finest story and I’ll get there. Now…Tammi was nervous. At the start line, she still wasn’t 100% about what she was about to do. Kept saying “I’ve never done anything like this before!!” There’s more about Tammi later as well to sum up her day….

Joni & Beth in beastmode…

STARTING LINE!! Here’s the entire Mudder’s Finest team on the left- hot pink shirts and safari invasion!!

Shara ain’t playin’- look at her, ready to roll!!

 BAM- WE’RE OFF!!

Check them out- this is Shara, Tammi and Laura- Shara and Laura are runners and Tammi is right there with them. Shara should also be a running magazine model- look at that face!!

 This right here is one of my fave pics- Shara and Laura. Now, when I said we were on a team and it was semi-divided, this is why- Laura asked me to do the Dirty Girl because she said it sounded like something I would love (spot-on, sistah) and in an effort to get Tammi to sign-up. I’m all about a group effort/intimidation to get someone to do something. I joined their team, MUDder’s Finest, and then recruited my friends to join, too. So our team was semi-divided just because of who knows who/logistics, not by lack of team spirit! So Laura….I can’t than you enough for asking me to join and for letting me and my peeps crash your party. If it wasn’t for you, I’d have probably not heard about this until it was too late- can’t thank you enough and oh yes ma’am…we’ll be doing this again next year!!

 The course was set-up in a switchback style- as in, wide open field roped off kind of like a waiting line cue. You can see that behind us here.

HOLLA! Maybe halfway through here!

Check out Laura, #397, getting’ tired!

HAAAAAAAAAA GAWD I LOVE Joni!

Beth & Joni, truckin’ along, truckin’ along….

Pausin’ for a pic…

I LOVE this pic of Tammi!!

Now….my kryptonite is heights. We had already climbed a wall earlier in the race, about 10ft., and it about did me in. The only way to get over it was to try to step/climb on the 2” boards placed on the wall about 3ft. apart from each other. Short person’s nightmare. However….there was a 3ft, 5ft and 10ft. section of wall you could go over. We ALL went over the 10ft. section. Oh yes ma’am. Go big o go home, I say!! Then we get to this….cargo net. 20ft. high, up and over. My legs were shaking so hard that I was afraid I was vibrating everyone else off the net.

I’m at the top with Robin, Beth is already over. Thanks to the 2 of them talking me over, I did it!! I have to say if it weren’t for Amy screaming at me in my head and for my peeps talking me through, there’s a damn good chance I’d have walked around this one. Jeeeeebus.

Comin’ up to the end!!

Now…remember Tammi Who-Was-Nervous, Tammi Who-Was-Scared? Check out Tammi. Ahem. Looks like she got over it, eh, being she tackled Laura into the pit???

We. Did. It. I wish we could’ve gotten everyone all together, but it was like herding cats with that many people. Regardless- everyone I know that came FINISHED. And didn’t die. BONUS!!

This is another fave pic- I SOOOO wish you could see the look on Robin’s face!!! Wait, you can. Just look at mine and Olivia’s face. Same thing.

Matt became a stuff-hauler for us being that the place where you could stow your bags was full and walking back to the car wasn’t an option.

Thanks again, Matt!!

This is Robin- it was her idea that we wear zebra print leggings. She said “I don’t care how huge my ass looks in them, I think we should.” Rock on, Robin- this was a genius idea and fun to wear!! And again…WE DID IT!!

Dirty….I said I didn’t come out to play to stay clean, dammit.

I totally understand this.

This is the shoe donation area- there’s a company that picks up alllll the shoes, cleans them up and ships them out all over the world to places where shoes are a luxury. This is about 1:30pm- this event went on ALL DAY- I can’t imagine what this pile looked like at 5pm!!

Dirty little secret: I LOVE to do laundry. Doing this event was exciting because….I’d have a laundry challenge. I know, I KNOW, my weirdness knows no bounds. I am happy to report that my clothes came clean….because I am just that awesome.

Now if you’re trying to figure out how I did this AND got all these great pics, this is why- my sweet boyfriend, Donavan, was our cameraman and stuff-hauler. He and Matt and another friend carried our stuff, schlepped all over the course, went in restricted areas to get pics of all of us for me. I couldn’t be more grateful to have all these memories made permanent thanks to D.

(I’ve said ‘boyfriend’ TWICE in 3 weeks. Yes, I am aware. Shut up.)

Check out the t-shirt and necklace we got- the t-shirt has the names of all the obstacles. This necklace is now my most prized piece of jewelry, too.

This image from the Dirty Girl website says it all. Sure, some of the proceeds went to breast cancer research. By me participating in this, I didn’t cure cancer, create world peace, solve our debt crisis or end world hunger. I can’t begin to tell you the absolute sense of accomplishment I have had since doing this. Me. I DID that. My friends- they DID that. It is an incredible feeling to do something that you would never anticipate you ever would. Today as I write this, I am sore all over, like I have been beaten with a bag of frozen oranges. But I can’t quit grinning like a jackass eating briars as I think about this experience. The only thing that stops most folks from doing anything is their own fear- don’t be afraid- get out there and do something. If you have your health and mobility, don’t EVER take it for granted and don’t waste a minute with excuses. Everybody dies but not everybody lives- don’t miss a minute, kids.

We did it, Amy!!

Warm Fuzzy Runs….ahhhh….

No, this is not about furry diarrhea- it’s Fuzz Run eve coupled with fab memories and a very special anniversary!

The Fuzz Run is a 5k in my town that benefits the Police Who Care fund-a local charity that provides assistance to local families. This is their 29th annual race. Every year, it gets bigger and bigger with sponsorship and participants. This race is near & dear to my heart because this is the first 5k I ever participated in. Since 2006, I’ve done it every year. Except last year. More on that in a second….

My friend Melanie & I were on an exercise kick in 2005 & 2006. When time for the Fuzz Run rolled around, we (I) decided we should do this. What do we have to lose? What’s the worst that could happen? Mind you- neither one of us were runners (and still aren’t- I hate running. HATE IT.) So we signed up, showed up and finished it. This is where my CSF formula was created:

*Commit
*Show up
*Finish it

CSF.

We completed the race in less than an hour and had a BLAST doing it. Afterwards, the sense of accomplishment was so fab- we DID that. On purpose. Mind you, there were people who finished in less than 20 minutes. We looked for the boat from Kenya that surely brought them there, but never found it.

Since then, I’ve done the Fuzz Run every year and several other 5k’s. I have several blogs about ‘The Number K’ as I call it, I need to get them posted. Anyway, I love doing 5k’s even though I don’t run because it gives me a sense of pride in myself and every race is an achievement. I also like using my power of persuasion to get other people into trying at least one so they too can know what it feels like. If you’re reading this and have never done one, you should too. If you are able bodied, what’s stopping you? 99 & 44/100th % of the time, the only thing that stops us from doing something is ourselves. So stop that and get started doing something.

I mentioned earlier that I missed last years Fuzz Run. I do not miss this race. EVER. EH-VER. But, I had to make an exception last year. I had a wedding to go to. Actually, I had a wedding to perform…yeah. Me. Reverend Colley.

In 2010, introduced 2 friends of mine, Wade & Diana, to each other, as friends. No matchmaker, hidden-cupid-agenda or anything. I knew I liked them both, therefore, they should (had damn well better) like each other.From the get-go…Wade was allll goo-goo over Diana. However, Diana viewed Wade as a friend. I listened to how much Wade adored Diana and listened to how much Diana adored Wade. As a friend. *sigh*

I patiently and quietly joined Team Wade. I never told him this, though. I’m subtle like that. By joining this team, this meant I was going to ever-so-smoothly keep selling Wade to Diana and hoped she’d catch on. Every time Diana would say how she just didn’t like him like that, I would counter (smoothly) with how crazy he was about her and how famously they got along or (not-so-smoothly) ask “Are you stupid or something? Stevie Wonder could see that you guys are a match made in heaven!”

Months passed and finally, FINALLY…Diana caught on…and realized she loved that short man right back and as much as he loved her. BAZINGA! I felt like Ralphie when he opened that Red Ryder!!

Things were fast-forward then- seemed like they maybe went on one date since declaring their mutual like, then within a week, Diana had a beautiful ring (He went to Jared’s!!) and wedding plans were being made.

They chose September 10th, 2011 at noon. Get it? 9/10/11 @ 12. Pretty fab, eh? They also asked ME to officiate and marry them. *gulp* They said without me introducing them, they’d have never met, fell and love or be getting married.

Like I could argue THAT and say no. Way to grab me by my girl-nuts. Sheesh.

So…I became an ordained minister for the occasion- Wade & Diana lovingly referred to me as Rabbi Colley. They managed to keep their roars of laughter down in the courthouse when they got their marriage license and my title was listed as “Minister of the Gospel”.

9-10-11 at 12:00 was a beautiful day at their place at the lake. I was nervous. She Who Talks Much was damn near stuttering. However, I didn’t write anything down- I totally went from the hip for the ceremony, trusting He would give me all the right words to say to do right by them. I’ve been told I did. It was a nervous blur and as thrilled and honored as I was to be in that position, I was even more thrilled I didn’t projectile vomit in their beaming faces.9-10-12 is right around the corner- Wade & Diana’s first wedding anniversary. I always wish people on their wedding day to be as happy the rest of their lives as they are right then. These kids have not only met but exceeded that so far. These were 2 people who had given up hope of finding true love and were settled into singledom. To see them come together, wide-open and embrace that opportunity again…? Well, it makes even my hard ass a little mushy. You guys still gag me though with all your sappy bullshit- know this.

Tomorrow, I’ll be doing the Fuzz Run with Diana. I’ll get to see so many of my friends and rehash all my fond memories of this race, make new ones, and most of all- cherish why missing my first Fuzz Run in five years was the best thing to ever happen to me.

Happy Anniversary, Frick & Frack. You give me hope and a cavity. I love you guys.

Happy Fuzz Run to all my peeps- good luck and happy running/walking. See ya there!!

**********************************************************************

UPDATE!!

I just wrote this, but I need to add some stuffs…

Diana said that the Fuzz Run was going to be her & Wade’s anniversary tradition. Unfortunately, he had to work  for this years race. So, Diana wore his number as well for the race. This is what marriage is- you don’t NOT do something because your partner can’t- you go an do it doubly-good and represent for both of you. FYI Wade- she KILLED it this year!! You bettah eat your Wheaties for next year…

This is my dear friend Vanessa- we’ve known each other 22 years- we worked together at Kroger. Now Vanessa is a source of inspiration for SOOOO MANY. As in this race? She had just gotten off work after a 12 hour overnight shift AND made her best time today. She does this several times a month, races all over, is ALWAYS on the go doing something. She gets it- life waits for no one- you better take every minute you have and live yours. Love you much, ‘Nessa- you always keep me going because I know you’d never take a pause!

You are such a blessing to everyone that knows you, girl.

These folks had a booth set up- LOVE THEIR STUFF!! One More Mile Running Apparel– they have fab shirts, car magnets, sweatbands, etc. All sorts of fun, quality stuff that is actually affordable. Check them out- I did, that’s where I got this awesome shirt. I don’t know if it’ll work for you, but I got my fastest time EVER today and even RAN some. I HATE running. Good shirt juju? I dunno….may be worth a shot. I’ll be a repeat customer fo sho.

Click the pic to go to their Facebook page!