savoring 5 kilometers

The end of 2010, my friend Sara Walker lost her sweet baby girl at the very end of a normal pregnancy. In the weeks that followed, Sara learned she has stage 4 colon cancer. In the days leading up to and immediately following her diagnosis, Sara began to share news and her hope with friends and family via email. A few weeks later at her kitchen table we discussed a caringbridge site . . . and the rest is history. Sara is sharing her journey with cancer and so much more here. What woman, faced with such tragedy, would inspire thousands to be transparent, let go of fear, live by faith, and savor today? Only a woman filled with the holy spirit. She is amazing. She is revolutionary. Yesterday it was our honor to walk in the Walker Run 5K. The run was organized by Sara's former PT school classmates and sponsored by her employer, STAR Physical Therapy. I think they said 1200 people registered for the race. Lamar was working yesterday so Luke and I tagged along with some friends. Luke and Cooper and their chariot. Ready to get started! The Walkers receiving their giant check (I was SO hoping there would be a giant check!) for $30,657. A-mazing!!!!! Check out this view of walkers and runners. It gives me chills. The boys taking a break in the wagon. They did run and walk quite a bit. Too bad I have no photos of that!

We made it! And we're bringing the t-shirt tie back! When Luke put on the t-shirt and declared it too big, I knew exactly what to do. Thank you 1989!

After the race we hitched a ride home with our beloved Jackie Lynn. And we had a little CB brunch, followed by a good game of checkers.

Luke did really well despite the crowds, noise, and totally new experience. He got just a bit irrational when he tripped, but other than that, super behavior from Luke.

Each time I look at pics from the race, or think back to our sweet Sara addressing the crowd yesterday, I think of this song: Love lifted me (even me). (Because songs in my head are always in 4 part harmony) Love lifted me (even me). When nothing else could help, love lifted me.