I qualified to be there and wanted SO bad to go! It's something that I hear you have to do at least once and I figured why not now?!
Unfortunately my main running partner that I train for my marathons with didn't qualify so I didn't want to go alone. (never train for a marathon alone...WAY too much running time)
I tried to talk my sister Dawn into running a marathon and qualifying to go with me. She was going to but as she started to train she was having a lot of pain and issues and decided against it.
Then I met my awesome friend Melanie and she had already qualified and as we ran together and chatted we both wanted to experience it really bad but we were both worried about the cost.
Things were a little tight around here at the time you had to put your name in to register so when it came down to the wire I decided against it.
As Melanie was getting ready to leave I was wishing I was going too but I was SOOO excited for her!
As yesterday rolled around and my friend Jordan came over for her spray tan she told me the news. It had been about a half hour after and I literally couldn't believe what I was hearing.
Why Boston marathon?! Why this great achievement for all of these amazing runners?! Who would do such a thing?! What if I would have gone?!
I immediately got on my phone because I was tracking Melanie's time through there tracking system and did the math and figured she had finished before it had happened but wasn't totally sure.
SOOO grateful for her update on Facebook to let us know she was ok. But my heart was still broken for the families and people that have been affected.
As I studied my scriptures today I read D&C 50:45-46..."And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen."
These scriptures hit me hard!! I'm not afraid of death AT ALL...in fact I look forward to it one day! I am never sad for the person that passes when I hear that a person has passed away...only for the family that will miss them! When people say they were so young...they had so much life to live...I think instead: they were so perfect. They are so lucky to graduate so early from this hard, hard life. They are still LIVING but living an even better life now, doing more then they EVER could have accomplished here on this short earth life!
One day we will all stand before our maker...hear his voice and see him (how wonderful this will be) BUT are we ready?! That is the question that shook me today! Yes I am looking forward to it...yes I want it...BUT am I ready?!
Not totally sure if I am where I'm supposed to be yet...but I will keep working, keep trying, and hopefully be a little better each day that when that day comes for me...I will be ready!!!
You are amazing. You and your cute family are supposed to be here to be an inspiration if anything!! Because I know you are and inspiration to so many people. More than you probably know.
ReplyDeleteI am also a runner and the Boston thing broke my heart as well. I love your view of the plan of salvation and I have always felt the same way you do about death. I think lots of people have a hard time putting their full faith in it but life is so peaceful when you can. I always tell my husband how I can't wait for the second coming and he thinks I am crazy. It's true though. I can't wait to see what's to come on the other side of the veil.
Lindsey thanks for reading and thanks for your comment!!! Thanks for understanding my crazy perspective...it's good to know I'm not the only one looking forward to the next life! ;)
DeleteWOW!!! Thank you SO much for sharing this sweet and AMAZING story! I LOVE to hear about kids like this that overcome it all when the odds are so against them. I have been meaning to blog about an incredible kid we met awhile back but haven't got to it! Very similar though! To answer your question...don't even hesitate to ask his sister about it! I love when people are willing to ask questions about Dakota 1. because I LOVE them to know about who he is and 2. because it shows they aren't afraid and they are sincerely caring about him. Most people assume he was born like that and that is what bothers me. I would just simply ask her would you mind sharing your brother's story with me? Tell her how amazed you are by him and are just interested in knowing. I think she would be so excited and appreciate sharing! Hope that helps! ;) Thanks for reading and commenting!!!
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