A Little Help from Complete Strangers!

Erica (my lone blog follower cause I made her) and I did the 1/2 marathon in Nashville together last weekend. We had a slow time, but not bad considering the blistering heat (86 degrees), lack of training and Erica's cold that she passed on to me. It was really cool to just cross the finish line with all those people cheering, after which we hailed a cab back to the hotel! I've never done one of these before and maybe this is what they are all like, (this is one of those "Rock & Roll" ones that you don't have to qualify for and supply beer at the finish), but the support was very cool. There were bands and real, school cheerleaders along the way; but the best part were the locals lined up along the route. They had mimosas, beer, munchies, etc and cheered you on as you went past. The best sign that I saw was "Mommy, Don't Puke!". There were little kids standing near the curb with their hands outstretched, and I gave them all five!!! (Cause it gave me an excuse to slow down). My heart just melted when I saw this little tiny girl who couldn't have been more than 1 1/2 with her little arm outstretched........ ahhhhh.... she was soooo cute. It was worth the blisters, heat rash, sunburn, sore muscles and the viral thing I caught!!!!!!

Life Lessons

I attended a memorial for a co-worker today. This was a person that I didn't always list as my favorite people at work. When he was diagnosed with cancer some months ago, he showed quite alot of dignity and spirit. He was very optimistic but realistic at the same time. I made it a point to spend more time talking with and listening to him. I really grew to like him very much before he passed away. I commented to a friend that I thought that he had changed since his diagnosis and they asked if it was him that changed, or was my opinion of him changed because I spent more time with him. I thought this was a very interesting question and I think the answer was that perhaps both perspectives changed. This reminded me of a quote from Abraham Lincoln: " I do not like that man, I must get to know him better."

A Little Help from Your Friends

I joined a gym a few years ago that has a rope that you climb to the ceiling which is about 20 feet or so..... anyway, I was halfway up the rope and contemplating sliding back down, when I heard a voice from below yelling "Do it Sharon!, You can do it!!!!!!!" - it may sound corny - but that encouragement got me to the top of that rope! My friend Mandy (among many others) encourages me at the gym still!! I love them for it. We should all remember to encourage each other to the top of the rope, whatever that rope may represent!