A Time to Cry

Saturday morning I began a run I was very excited for. I had never run all of Cal Poly Canyon. Myself, my friend Emily and 5 others from Tuesday running group ran together. I struggled then gave myself permission to just not push myself. I had donated blood just 2 days prior. We finished the run and I read a social media post from a friend that requested prayers for her family.

I immediately reached out to her to ask if she was okay. She let me know her stepdad was in the ER. He's been battling stage 4 cancer. I was only 3 miles away I asked if she needed me there. She said she didn't know. Something told me to just get in the car and go. I met her in the waiting room.  We went to the room and I got to meet her dad and give my love and support to he and her mom. Steve was so kind and thanked me for being there. To be truthful I didn't need thanked it was he who was going to teach me an incredibly valuable lesson. 

I volunteered at the Central Coast Cancer Challenge last year and enjoyed the experience. I hadn't planned to volunteer this year because I wanted to go out of town. God had other plans for me. On Thursday I emailed the race director and she said I could help at registration Sunday morning.

Jeanie had signed up herself, her daughter, her son and running partner to run in honor of her husband. Saturday afternoon Steve was upgraded to the ICU and Jeanie made the decision not to run, but instead to stay by her husbands bedside and care for him. 

Sunday morning Jeanie's running partner Phil brought me Jeanie's bib and I was to run in her place. Jeanie's daughter who I've ran with as her pacer told me I had to get a PR. I've always had a goal to finish a 5k in under 30 minutes and I achieved my goal. Phil and Natosha earned their fastest times as well. 

I went to church after that run with my heart on my sleeve and prayers for Steve and his family. As tears were streaming down my face and I was singing hymns the lady next to me offered me a tissue from the most beautiful little case. That gesture seems so small, but it met my exact need and touched my heart just when I needed.

Thursday morning I received a message that Steve passed away. Again I drove to the hospital to express my love and support to dear friends. It hurt to watch the heartache of a dear family losing a loved one, but there was also a very sacred moment that Jeanie asked me to capture. Jeanie said that when Steve was going through treatment in Los Angeles they noticed a little mark on his hand in the shape of a heart. I asked her to hold his hand as I took some photographs.

I continue to hold this dear family in my prayers and value the time and special moments they shared with me.