3 Days, 60 Miles, and A Million Blisters.

A non-house related post that touches everyones life and heart.  Just about 11 years ago I lost someone very, very dear to me; that day changed my life forever.  Just about 5 years earlier, I had lost someone very, very dear as well; that day too changed lives forever.  In my life now, I am graced with knowing survivors of multiple ages. 

11 years ago I lost my mother to Breast Cancer.  My father lost his soul mate of 25+ years;  my sister and brother their mother; my son his grandmother; friends their rock; and the world a special light of never ending kindness and joy.  She fought a long, courageous, difficult battle that involved remissions and bone marrow transplants and one too many hospital stays.  

16 years ago the world lost another amazing soul far too soon; her name, Karen Shebanie.  A husband lost his wife of 25 years; two daughters lost a mother; I lost my second mother; my mother lost her best friend; my best friend lost her mother.  Breast Cancer took her away from us, too.  She fought a courageous battle with gusto and will stronger than I've ever seen.  

6 years ago I learned that my amazing Mother-in-Law is a 20+ (almost 30) year Breast Cancer survivor.  She fought this disease while raising three little kids.  My cousin, a multiple diagnosis cancer survivor (including Ovarian and Breast) at the young age of early 40's.  These women whom are near and dear to my heart have stared death and cancer in the face and told them "not today, not tomorrow, not ever will you take my life."

These women are the women I admire and look to for strength.  Not celebrities or sports gods, no.  Real people fighting a real disease and a fight that could cost them their life.  I admire my mother for gracefully enduring the pain and suffering she did without complaint and how she always had a smile while doing it, even if it was killing her.  I admire Karens strength and humor and dedication to her girls and students even though she was in insufferable pain - she too never left a day without a smile.  I admire my Mother-in-Law for her victories and perseverance and I'm lucky to have her and I cherish every day, she's a tough cookie and an amazing women. 

So, why the tearful, gut-wrenching, tugging on your heart strings, post?  Katie Butler and I are taking on the challenge of the 3-Day Susan G. Komen walk for the cure. Our team is Baby Got Rack and it's a 3 Day walk, 60 miles being held in Boston in July (22-24). Why are we doing this?  We are doing this because this, to us, is helping to save lives.  This is a cause that hits home and if we can be a part of something that will prevent another little girl from loosing their mom or grandma too soon, then we want to do that.  We are walking to honor our Mothers.  We are walking to celebrate my Mother-in-Law and cousin and their victories.  We are walking in hopes that one day we won't have to walk any longer because a cure has been found.  So, if you're reading and have made it this far, thank you.  If anyone reading this would like to donate to our fundraising goal of $4600., please click the link below.  If you have already donated, Katie and I greatly appreciate your help and so do countless amounts of mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, cousins, aunts, and next door neighbors.  Love you all. 

Click here for the 3-Day Donation Page to Baby Got Rack.