Never forget, we are a blessed people

This is a season of Thanksgiving.  I am not sure why we choose only one short amount of time each year to focus on all we have to be thankful for.  This is something that we should do daily.  We should never take for granted all we have and all the people we are surrounded with. 

This time of year is a difficult time for me.  I lost my grandmother on the 12th of this month, and had to say goodbye to her on the 15th.  A blessing took place three years ago though on the 18th of this month as my sweet niece Kynsie was brought into this world.  It reminds me that my grandmother, who raised me as her own, would never want me to focus on what I lost the day she left this world, but would want me to focus on what blessings I have right now.  Today.  At this moment. 

When I decided to run a marathon, this was my focus.  To remind others that we must not take for granted our time.  Our time is so short and could end at any time.  I lost a lot of time with this amazing woman who was willing to give everything up to raise her grand-kids.  She did just that too.  I can't take back the time I lost.  But I can take advantage of the time I am given each day.  My grandmother used to tell me that she didn't want flowers and stuff at her funeral because we should give her flowers and stuff while she was alive so she could enjoy them.  She was big on us enjoying life and each other, not spending money on something after we lose someone.  What enjoyment does that person really get in flowers and stuff after they have left this world?  None.  Does it really give us comfort?  It doesn't me.  It gives me comfort to think about the good times we had, and to bask in the comfort that she brings me. 

As I read through this, I read the above statement about "...we must not take for granted our time."  Wow...time.  It seems so long ago that I decided and registered for my first marathon.  It was in May.  Today I sit here and have 32 days left before I run that marathon.  I didn't blog about my training as I planned.  I have trained.  Sometimes not as planned.  I have been battling a hip issue for a while now, and have lost some training time.  But I am keeping on moving forward.  What else can I do? 

This past weekend I ran two half marathons back to back.  One Saturday morning and one Sunday morning.  I have had to change how I do things with my training and just day to day, but I feel confident I can do this marathon.  I have to do so as it is to honor the memory of my grandmother.  This marathon will be so emotional for me.  To top it off, the focus is that we don't take our time with our loved ones for granted.  With the passing of Jacob Wells, the race director for my first marathon, it brings this on even stronger.  I am proud to be one of the 400 or so runners that will get to run this race.  I am nervous as I know I will personally face many challenges in the 26.2 miles to include lots of bridges.  I am nervous because I know that this is going to be emotional for everyone there.  There will be people there in the memory of Jacob just to honor him.  So many layers to what I am headed to.  I don't think there is any way to possibly train for this marathon.  I can train for the distance and I can attempt to train for the mental aspect of pushing through the pain (which I definitely did this weekend running the 26.2+ miles over the two days).  But what I can't train for is all the emotions I am going to experience.

It is hard to wrap my head around what is headed my way less than five weeks from now.  I think I am as ready as I can be honestly.  All I can do is love on those in my life right now.  I have so many friends and family who support and encourage me.   This weekend I was reminded of all my blessings.  God gives me grace and mercy.  He gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Something I can never repay.  I can live daily for Him and try to show His love to others by loving them and showing compassion.  High fives as Jacob did.  Jacob gave high fives literally and figuratively.  I am amazed at the life this man lived in his short time, and the way he touched so many.  Even those of us who never really knew him personally.