The Running Housewife

This was a story published in my hometown paper, The Pilot, almost 29 years ago.  The person of interest in this story is my mom, Kathy, spelled with a "K," not a "C."  She would want that clarified immediately.

I found this article thrown in with a bunch of family pictures that I stole from my parent's house the last time I visited. (Don't worry, mom, I will take special care of them.)  At first glance I laughed because every picture I see of my mom with her four small children, a 5 year old and three toddlers, seems so completely insane. Each time I wonder how in the world did she survive that?  Trust me - I'm not so sure she even knows.

As noted in the article, she began running to "get a refreshing change from her daily routine" - code for to get as far away from the chaos as possible!  I imagine as soon as my dad got home from work she was already dressed and literally running out the door.  I know I would've been - hell, I would've been sprinting.

What started as a hobby became more of a sport for my mom.  Running one mile, turned into five miles which soon turned into 10 miles.  Her training quickly escalated and she had the ultimate goal in mind - a marathon.  Competing in numerous road races and finishing a handful of marathons over the years, my mom has sense hung up her running shoes.  But it's time to pass the baton.

Don't get too excited - there are no marathons in my future.  But I am running in a 5K on March 13th in honor of my mom.  She is battling breast cancer for the second time.  The Susan G. Komen Foundation is having their 26th annual Race for the Cure fundraiser where thousands of people come out to support the fight against breast cancer.  I have put together a team that will run under the team name, Kathy's Kure.  We are currently recruiting members for our team and are hoping to gain support through donations from our friends and loved ones and any one who wants to support our cause. To make a donation please visit our team page. 

My mom is planning to attend the event - if she's willing to run, I'm not too sure yet.  I'll have to talk a little trash to motivate her, but if running is not in the cards then walking is completely acceptable.  Please come out and join us if you can - if not, please support our cause by making a donation.  Any little bit helps.

And Mom, allow me to toot your horn for you - check out the impressive time my mom got in the '84 New York Marathon.  She ran it 5 minutes slower in '85.  Just blame it on the kids - we don't mind.  

                                     

 

No, You're Not Lost

As you can see I have changed the look of my blog.  There are so many templates out there, but I have found that the ones designed in WordPress are much more artistic and not so generic looking.  So I decided to change it up. 

And to just throw a suggestion out there - how about leaving a comment every now and then?  ahem - MOM? 

High Hopes for 2010

So remember all my whining about sitting home alone on New Year's Eve and my only hope was to be kissing the spoon that would be dumping ice cream into my mouth?  Shame on me for being so negative and casting so much doubt on what positive things are in store for 2010.

Just as planned, I was in bed watching the countdown in Time Square with Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper.  (Because of them, by the way, my spirits were high - seriously.)  Kathy Griffin had me laughing so hard with her inappropriate, crass comments and Anderson Cooper did his best to deflect the crude commentary and keep his job with the network.  It was fantastic.

I already polished off a bowl of ice cream and was contemplating my next sweet treat as the final minutes of 2009 were ticking away.  My phone was continuously beeping with texts from friends and loved ones wishing a happy new year.  The screaming crowds on tv were dancing and laughing.  And to be honest, all the excitement made me a bit sad.

Welcoming a new year means leaving one behind.  I wasn't sure if I could leave 2009 behind. This uncertainty brought on an overwhelming feeling of fear and abandonment. I felt like by accepting a new year I would somehow be accepting Jonathan's death - and in doing so, abandoning him in the process. I realize how silly it may sound, but it was the feeling I had.  But I began to reason with myself.  I asked myself, "What would Jonathan want you to do?  If he were here right now, what would he say to you?"  And I knew.  I knew I was being ridiculous to think I was abandoning anyone - especially him.  Because EVERY new year was Jonathan's year.  It was gonna be the year he would get back in shape - start going to church again - send out thank you notes - build his savings.  It was a year of positivity and hope.  And why should this year be any different? 

My tears began to dry up and my attitude began to change with just 55 seconds left in the countdown.  As I sat up in bed to witness these final seconds I heard the front door open.  NO WAY!   To my surprise Robert came scrambling up the steps with two mini bottles of champagne in hand.  He dashed to the kitchen to pop open the bottles and with three seconds to spare...3...2...1...I got my sip of champagne and my kiss at midnight.

I think 2010 is our year!