Yesterday I shared with everyone ten bloggers who have become an inspiration to me. Before I began sharing the maniacal rantings of my world, I did not even know these great people. Today I dedicate this post to a blogger I knew back when...back before both of us were bloggers and back before she became involved in the fight for her life.
I am sure everyone knows at least one person who has been effected by cancer. I have lost family and friends to it, I have had family and friends survive it, I have a dear cousin fighting even as we speak. Personally, I see cancer as the big bully on the playground. He does not discriminate who he attacks. Young, old, popular, introverted, extroverted, healthy, thin, obese...no one is exempt once he sets his sights on you. And he is relentless. You never see him coming...he just comes up and sucker-punches before you even know what hit you.
My friend, Mary, fought back. Not only did she fight back, she kicked the crap out of him.
Mary and her family have become such an inspiration to so many of us I really want you to meet her. So here she is - her first post from October 2010: I'm Mary, and I Run Because I Can. Start with this one and go from there. Bring tissues - and your Reeboks - cause she'll have you crying, laughing, and getting up off your heiney to get active.
Mary, may all the blessing of the Easter season be yours. Keep writing...and keep running.
Cancer is the devil. I am convinced of this. If there is one single wish I could have granted it would be for cancer to evaporate from this earth. I will not be visiting Mary's blog today only because I am exhausted from crying and need a break from the sads. But I will go there when I feel ready. Soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including me among your inspirational bloggers. You are one of mine, too. I find your posts to always be filled with thought-provoking and quality material. I know you are a kind, warm hearted, smart, grounded woman because that is what shines through so brightly in your words.
xo, A
Like Adrienne I'll be visiting Mary's blog too...when I'm in the right frame of mind!
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime Beth I'd like to wish you and your family a happy Easter.
Thank you for the link to Mary's blog--what a great tribute to your friend. While I will not be running after reading her post, I will try to walk a little faster than normal. xxBliss
ReplyDeleteBeth, I've been trying to reach you but don't have your email address. please visit me for some good news;
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.seductivelyfrench.com/
What a lovely post! So happy that your friend Mary has kicked it in the butt! Unfortunately I've lost many people to cancer in my life. Most notbaly my father-in-law seven years ago and then my two best friends within the past two years. And they were both young. In their mid to late 30s. This past weekend I got a call from my step-mother telling me that my father had some spots on his lung and I immediately went into a tailspin. I honestly don't have much hope when I hear things like this. I've seen too many people succumb to this horrible disease. I was with all of them as they took their last breaths. It's an experience that sticks with you and changes you forever. But the good news is that it turns out that he has asthma! Asthma?!?! No big deal. He'll be able to manage that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an inspiring story. It's good to hear how people can beat it. I need to hear more stories about these sort of things :)
Have a wonderful Easter weekend, sweetie! xoxo
Such a nice post...will visit her blog soon. Hope you and your family have a great Easter holiday. Coffee is ready to ship on Monday!!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post, Beth! What an inspiration some friends can be. Hope you had a lovely Easter weekend! Are you on twitter? xo
ReplyDeleteSandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com