Fight the good fight

"Fight the good fight every moment. Every minute, every day. Fight the good fight every moment, it's your only way" ~Rik Emmett-Triumph, 1981

Mike and I have been together since 1983. In May of that year, he took me to my first rock concert at Alpine Valley to see one of my favorite bands at the time, Triumph. I was 16 years old and completely overwhelmed by the sensory overload of deafening music, the light show and flash pots, the wild crowd....and I loved every second of it. I haven't thought about that concert in years.
Tonight as I came in from the barn, Mike was cooking dinner and he had a Triumph playlist streaming through the computer. This song was playing, and all of those memories and feelings came flooding back. I just stood in the kitchen and stayed in that moment for as long as I could. I had almost a physical reaction and was so surprised at the intensity of the feelings. I thought about how long we have been together, all of the things we have gone through together, and how amazingly lucky we are to still be together. My thoughts then went to a young couple named Eric and Cari. They've been in my heart a lot lately, and the words to this song seemed a perfect message to send them. Eric is fighting his sixth battle with Leukemia with every ounce of strength he has. They have not even been married a year, yet they have endured much more than most do in a lifetime. I became aware of their inspiring story through Blake, who knows Eric's brother Mike. Mike is a triathlete and marathoner. He will be running the Boston marathon on Monday as well, in honor of Eric and in support of his organization, Leukemia Ironman Fundraiser for Eric. (L.I.F.E.) And because the fates have been kind to me in my own journey towards my third Boston marathon, and because I have the ability at this moment in my life to get to the starting line, and because I get to with a grateful heart, I will think of Eric and Cari during the race. I will think of all the pain and sickness that Eric....and many others in my life have endured. It will remind me that the pain that I am feeling in no way compares....and is of my own choosing. I will remind myself that I am incredibly lucky to be running this amazing event with the best runners in the world yet again. I will remind myself that although there are times I look at my life and can't believe it's mine, it is indeed real and not a dream. I won't pretend to understand how life can be so unfair to incredible people like Eric and Cari, or the 'Teens Living with Cancer' that Mary works with, or my own sister, or those in my world affected by HHT...the list is far too long. It just serves to strengthen my resolve to never waste a gifted day.
There is a bit of disappointing news related to this weekend. This was to be a 'girl' trip shared with my BFF's Dana, Rachel, and Sasha. However, Dana is unable to go after having undergone a medical procedure yesterday that was a little more involved than originally thought. We are both sad as we were really looking forward to this, but I'm just thankful she will be ok. She just needs more time to recuperate. It will definitely NOT be the same going to the race expo without her. She is my shopping muse!
There are many people that I am grateful to for helping me get to Boston. Without them I wouldn't be here, and they know who they are. I will carry a heart full of love and gratitude during those miles as well. I plan on soaking up every second and running to the best of my ability.
....Fight the good fight every moment....it's the only way....
Enjoy this day!