Make today count

This morning as I drove to work I thought about why I wore purple. It isn’t to make a statement about anyone’s sexual preference. It is for the same reason that I stood with friends last night for an hour and half while waiting for a St. Charles graduate return home. He was 18, had been in Iraq for 4 days when he lost his life. The funeral home he was on his way to was about a mile from where I stood with my friends. We were not there for anything personal. I had never met the man. My friend knew both he and his family, and when she asked me to stand with her, I hesitated briefly. I mean I had JUST walked in the door; Dom had been in the kitchen all day. Then I thought about the sacrifice this man had just made for ME, gave myself a mental kick in the butt and started getting ready to go.

So we stood in the cold last night. People pulled over and asked what we were doing. When we told them, some stopped and joined us. No one left even though it was an hour and half longer than we anticipated. As the motorcycle riders, police and military escorts passed, I thought about the other young lives we’ve recently lost.

So I wore purple today. Because EVERY life counts. When we lose one, a part of all of us dies. Maybe people will ask why I am wearing it, and when I tell them , will stand with me symbolically. And when I work out this week, it will be with a feeling of gratitude. For the blessing of this thing called life, and being able to participate in it. And MAYBE help one person along the way find THEIR way.

Make today count.

Know someone who needs encouragement?

You know people tell me I shouldn’t be so open about my MS because people who don’t know me will prejudge me. But I’ve had a few wonderful things happen that had I been quiet (those who know me are laughing now) just wouldn’t have happened. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to so many people – some face-to-face, some just in the cyber world, about this journey. Wonderful people have shared their journey with me and we’ve been able to inspire each other. One thing that happened the other day made me laugh. Jake the Great has a new client who was upset because of heart challenges she didn’t have as much strength as she used to. Jake shared my story to tell her there is hope. It makes me laugh because I imagine, “You think YOU have it bad? Let me tell you a story…..” Now it didn’t happen that way but in my head it did.

Recently a national organization has agreed to pay for my training because of my “success”. Originally they were going to pay for 2 months – now they said they will continue paying as long as they are able. Had wonderful is THAT? But I know it isn’t being done so I will sit quietly by and just receive the gift. It is so I will pay it forward. So if you know of ANYONE who is struggling physically, please put us in touch with each other. Contact DFM or the Director of your gym and say you want to set up a meeting. Or contact Billy at St. Charles DFM and he will get the message to me. Anytime, anywhere. Sometimes I’ve met people and didn’t “feel” like anything happened – but it isn’t about that. It’s about knowing there is someone who has been where they are, and will let them know, hey if I can do, ANYONE can. And I CAN, and WILL.

And to those who want me to be quiet…..LOL…….sorry I couldn’t even finish that sentence.