Unexpected Friends

Last month I entered Real Simple's Simply Stated Blogger Contest.  They wanted a 300 word blog answering the question "Who Are You Most Surprised to be Friends With?"  Well, needless to say I didn't make the top 10, but now that leaves me open to share this on my own blog.  To my friends and family that do not have children with special needs and have been there for us through all the ups and downs with Toby - this blog does NOT mean I treasure your friendship any less - I love you too!  I treasure all of you, but this was what I wrote for the blog contest!!

When I was expecting our third child, one thing I did not expect was a change in my circle of friends.  At twenty-one weeks we learned he had the most severe form of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.  Several weeks later a college friend contacted me explaining that she knew another mom with a child with the same disability and thought it would be good for us to connect.  At first, I was appalled and in denial; I didn’t need this mom’s support.  I didn’t want to be grouped in with “those moms”.               

At thirty-eight weeks, our precious Toby was born and because of complications he spent several months in the hospital.  At three months old he came home with a tracheotomy tube, full-time ventilator support, a feeding tube, and private duty nursing in our home.  At this point I realized that I needed “those moms” because… I was one of them.   I joined support groups – online and locally.

                Now my circle of friends includes many mothers of children with special needs.  Whether it’s Jen in Fort Wayne, Cassie in Texas, or Erika in Columbus; they are my sisters walking with me in this journey.  A circle of friends, I did not want to join, but could not live without.  A desire of most people is to be understood, and these friends understand because they have walked in my flip-flops (as one friend so aptly put it!)  They are my cheering section celebrating Toby’s first walker and a shoulder to cry on when he’s still eating pureed food at age four.  They may have been unexpected friends, but unexpectedly their friendships are treasures of gold.

So - to all of my wonderful "friends" out there - some of you I have met in person, some of you I have not - we only talk through e-mail or the Spina Bifida FB group - sharing experiences, stories, advice, and support - this day is dedicated to you!

Why I Run

I really do love to run.  There's something exhilarating about having an end goal and reaching it.  It truly is in my blood - have you noticed that people either love running or you hate it?  It started when I put my first pair of shoes on in eighth-grade track!  In those days (and through high school) I ran the two-mile relay, the mile, two-miler, and get this - hurdles!!  Yup - you heard me...hurdles - these short legs ran hurdles.  (My mom held the record in the same high school for awhile on the 100-meter hurdles - and we are the same height!).  I wasn't ever very good at it, never went to states.  I would place a few times, improve my times, but I doubt I'll ever place in the top-three in my age bracket in any race - even when I'm 60 and still running (hopefully if my knees don't give out!).  This year I've decided to run the Columbus 1/2 Marathon - my training is spotty at best (with 4 kids, a child with special needs, and a busy schedule it's hard for me to find the time to consistently run every day), but I'm trying!
I have a few reasons for decided to run this race this year. One is because this will be my first 1/2 marathon. I've ran a few longer races through the years - the Crim (10 miler) in Flint, Michigan, a few 5K's, and then ten years ago was my longest race - a 30K (18.6 miles) in Hilliard - it was a race that was a part of the Columbus Marathon Training circuit.  I haven't ever run a marathon, but my goal is to do one either next year or the following.  I've always wanted to run one, but the last nine years haven't been conducive to training for a race like that.  Finally, I think our kids are at an age where I might have time to train a bit!  
The second reason I want to run this race is that I am using it as a tool to raise money for Marathons for Moms.  (Please go to the web-site and read about their purpose!)

So this year I am running with a purpose - to raise money for M4M.  It's a fund-raiser that is close to my heart especially after having Toby.  When I was pregnant with him we found out at 21-week through ultrasound that he had Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and ultimately a high risk doctor even presented us with the choice to terminate my pregnancy.  For us it wasn't something we even considered, but for many out there they feel it's their only option.  Many unborn babies, especially ones with special needs are NEVER given a chance at life.  Let's be honest, society doesn't exactly treasure children, let alone children that will need many resources (education, money, therapy) for their entire lives.  So in a way I run for Toby - because of God's grace, we had the knowledge and resources to have our baby and give him the best possible life.  I run for all those babies out there that need a chance, but ultimately I run for Christ.  I heard this song this morning while I was attempting a 7-miler.  It's by Barlowe Girl and it's something I am striving to do even though I fail miserably.  See the words below.  Also if you would like to support my efforts - it's just a $1.00 per mile donation (that's $13.10) and if you are a runner and feel led - you can also join the fundraising effort by going to the link that says "Marathons for Moms".  Any person can do it - in any race they are running (or walking too!!) across the entire nation.  Here's the link to my fundraising page. Carrie's page 

"Keep Quiet"

Jesus, Jesus why's your name offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name, yeah Why are we so scared to say Oh Jesus Oh Jesus If I avoid to speak Your name Tell me would You do the same to me If relevance becomes my goal Tell me will I lose You to its hold But if I keep quiet they'll never see I'm different Jesus, Jesus why's your name offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name Why are we so scared to say Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus I'm sorry I cared about my name more than Yours I'm so sorry how could I hide You anymore But if I keep quiet They'll never see I'm different Jesus, Jesus why's your name so offensive Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us When all of the hope of the world's in Your name Why are we so scared to say Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus Oh, Jesus