Who Benefits?

As I walked/jogged over the weekend along a winding road on the coast of Maine, I was struck again by the incredible beauty that surrounds me here. What a blessing to have this natural environment; the ocean, the smell of salty air, the lush green grass and trees and even the sound of an overnight rain all truly bring me to a place of gratitude.

Last week I held a fund raising kick off for the 5K I will be running with my sister in October to support the Komen Race for the Cure. Many of my friends and family came to support me and to pledge their donations. This again, brought me feelings of gratitude for all the blessings in my life (not to get too sappy here).

I am fortunate to be in a state of wellness that allows me to be active on a daily basis. In the years I spent working at the hospital oncology department's massage therapy program, there were plenty of patients not able to participate in many regular activities. It has been 3 years since my sister's diagnosis and I can recall a visit to her in Denver during the summer she was receiving treatment. There were many highlights during that visit despite seeing her in such a fragile state. I had incredible fun with my niece, Sofia, and nephew, Brynn, at the community pool. Our friend, Nicole, got us tickets to see David Gray at Red Rock Amphitheater which allowed for a welcome respite. These are the visions I hold in my mind while I am training for this 5K. Believing that the money I raise can make a difference and knowing that others will benefit from my effort.