Run 26.2 for Kelly

Cassandra Rocks

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:38:00 +0000

I got home tonight and found this message on my Facebook wall from Cassie and it is too good not to share. I can't begin to tell you how unbelievably inspired I am about Cassie running as a woman of the year candidate to support a cause that means so much to me!

We had a great meeting on Tuesday night and we are bursting with ideas.

Cassie's core campaign team consists of the following people.

Joni, Cassie's mom. (Official campaign vehicle driver). Cassie is 15 and needs an official vehicle and a driver.
Ty, Cassie's best friend (Social Media campaign director)
Sue, my best friend and wife(Sue needs an official title)
Ross, (#1 Fan) If Cassie had a Rock and Roll band, I am pretty sure I would be labeled as a groupie :) Luckily, I get to claim the #1 Fan role!

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know what I am up to lately. Please join me on a journey to saying yet to hope, to life, to a world without cancer. Please join me, stop by and like my Facebook page, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-Cassandra Perkins Rocks. Standing in possibility and for the possibility of a world where cancer can't exist. Being a voice for those that are touched by this disease. ♥

Please check out the video on Youtube by clicking here.

If you are on Facebook, please like Cassie's official page and get ready to rock!!!

Rachel's Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000

I went to a meeting last night to learn about Rachel's challenge. An amazing friend of mine had posted something about this earlier in the week on Facebook and I had forgotten about it.

I saw it again late in the afternoon and I clicked on the video content and listened to the intro. Rachel's challenge is about Rachel Scott who was the first person that was killed at Columbine High school on April 20, 1999.

I still vividly remember hearing the initial news reports and watching in horror over and over again the reports on the local news and CNN, trying to make sense of how this could happen in our community.

I had friends and colleagues who had children that were in the school that morning. A friend of mine from Team in Training had a sister who was in the cafeteria and he feels so lucky to still have his sister.

Rachel Scott was heavily influenced by the writings of Anne Frank and much like Anne Frank she aspired to have a big impact on the world. In an eerie parallel, Anne Frank died in a concentration camp and Rachel Scott died on the anniversary of Adolph Hitler's birthday.

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution toward introducing justice straightaway... And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!”
― Anne Frank

The film clips of Columbine, the 9-1-1 calls were hard to watch, to listen to. Reliving it all over again. Disturbing for me, unknowable to what was felt on that day.

Rachel Scott lived a purposeful life in her 17 years. To date Rachel's challenge has reached over 17 million people worldwide.

Rachel believed in the power of kindness and that kindness mattered.

Here are the 5 components of Rachel's challenge.

Look for the best in others.
Dream Big!
Choose positive influences.
Speak with kindness.
Start your own chain reaction.

"I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same."- Rachel Scott

Please visit Rachel's Challenge by clicking here.

My request would be for everyone that is reading to start your own chain reaction of kindness. Start with your family, start with one person. See what you can create.

Rachel lived this in her 17 years. 17 million people and counting have heard her message.

At the end of the presentation, we listened to this song by Jewell, Hands and watched a tribute of Rachel Joy Scott's life.

"I am never broken,in the end only kindness matters." ~Jewell

2012 Woman of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:13:00 +0000

Woman of the Year!

Wow, what an evening.

I am so excited. Friday evening I attended a Winter Cocktail reception where the Rocky Mountain chapter introduced 14 men and women who are running as candidates for the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Society Man and Woman of the Year campaign.

I am incredibly proud of the young woman(Cassandra Perkins) standing next to me in the above picture.

I had the honor of nominating Cassandra to run as a candidate in this prestigious campaign. This is a 10 week campaign where every dollar raised counts as a vote and at the end of the campaign the person with the most votes is declared as the winner.

Cassandra is the youngest person ever to have run in this campaign, regionally and nationally. Cassandra celebrated her 15th birthday on January 9th. I have no doubt at all that she is going to make a huge impact in this fight against blood cancer.

15 years old, taking on cancer. Standing in possibility and for the possibility of a world where cancer can't exist. Being a voice for those that are touched by this disease.

15 years old, standing for Kelly's life, honoring what Kelly fought for....

To say that I am inspired, honored, grateful and humbled by her courage for taking on this challenge, is simply saying what is.

Wow! Cassandra said yes! Saying yes to hope, to life, to a world without cancer.

So to Kelly and Cassandra, who share a birthday together, thank you for being an inspiration in my life, for touching my heart in a way so I live my one wild and precious life like you do. All in!

Synchronicity

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:55:00 +0000

Monday was the 23rd anniversary of Kelly's birthday.

When I got home Monday I opened a package that had come in the mail.

1/9/2012

I participated in a virtual run last month to support a friend of mine who is training for the Tinkerbell 1/2 marathon and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I was so amazed that of all days this would have come in the mail on Kelly's birthday.

I think it is my favorite medal ever. I love the words on the medal.

Share love-Give Life.

Kelly shared her life and gave us her love. Share life, give love.

Even now, I think Kelly knows when I need a little nudge, some encouragement. A reminder of her love and the connection we shared with one another.

I remember her first birthday in heaven, a glimpse of a sunrise.

1/9/2009

I want to introduce you to a young woman who I will be writing quite a bit about in the coming months.

Tebowing, perfect form!

A Tebow fan!

I met Cassie earlier this summer through an organization called Youth for Parker. Cassie is an amazing young woman and someone that I really admire for all of the great work she is doing in the world.

I had the honor of nominating Cassie to run as a candidate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma's Society Man/Woman of the year campaign. Cassie was my top choice, hands down and I knew if she accepted she would be all in. When I first talked with the campaign manager for the Man/Woman of the year, Caitlin told me that one of the candidates from last year was the youngest person to ever run in this national campaign. Catherine was 15 years old. I knew Cassie was 14 at the time when I nominated her and I wondered if she would now be the youngest person to ever run as a woman of the year candidate. I was blown away when I found out that Cassie was born on January 9. She shares a birthday with Kelly. I had goosebumps when I saw that. I knew I had to ask her. This was not a random coincidence. To me, this was synchronicity.

"People love mysterious things, and synchronicity is like magic happening to them," says Carolyn North, author of Synchronicity: The Anatomy of Coincidence (Regent Press). "It gives us a sense of hope, a sense that something bigger is happening out there than what we can see, which is especially important in times like this when there are so many reasons for despair."

Cassie celebrated her 15th birthday on Monday. Cassie has accepted the nomination. She has joined the blood cancer freedom fighter revolution. Cassie is standing for the possibility of a world where blood cancer can't exist.

Deeply honoring moments in my life.

1. Asking Sue to marry me and having her say Yes :)
2. Kelly inviting me to go to Disneyland in 2001 on what could have been their last trip as a family.
3. Being asked to be a pall bearer for Kelly and help lay her body to rest. This was a sacred honor.
4. Cassie accepting the nomination to run as a woman of the year candidate, becoming a voice for blood cancer awareness, standing for Kelly's life.

In Cassie's words, "Look out Colorado, we are going to Rock the Rockies.!!!."

Reverb11: Giving

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:14:00 +0000

Throughout December, I will be sharing my personal responses to the prompts of Reverb11. Below is my response from the seventh prompt.

Prompt 7: Giving. “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” (David Viscott) What is your gift to give?

I have been avoiding answering this prompt and while procrastinating I read this on Cynthia Oceill's blog,

"You want to live a big life and create real change, but you're afraid to take strides toward your dreams, to risk failure and rejection. You're clinging to your small life to avoid pain. You cannot stand in achievement or magnificence and stay in the comfort of littleness or the delusion of unworthiness too. Man up (you too, ladies) and give your littleness away".-Cynthia Occelli

What is your gift to give? I am not sure I know the answer to that question and it is a question that I desperately want to answer. Playing small, playing safe is not serving me or the world.

I attended a board retreat for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society seven weeks ago and I created a personal vision statement. We were instructed to share our vision with three people every day in order to keep it alive and other than telling my wife I have not declared my vision. Along with the vision there has to be an intention and a commitment.

I have reached the point in my life where I want to feel inspired. I want to live an inspired life and be able to inspire others. I want to write and I resist writing, putting myself out into the world.

I am not sure if my vision is my purpose and I know if I lived into my vision, I would be living from inspiration and magnificence. If I inspire others than I am giving my gift away.

I am inspiring communities to join the Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter revolution where we are all engaged in the fight to create a world without blood cancer.

I intend to enroll people in my vision.

I commit to declaring my vision to the world.

That big decision you're putting off? This is your permission to just do it. Light, Love, Belief in you. Now, go-Shayna Lister Hefner

Reverb11: Adding Ease in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:21:00 +0000

Throughout December, I will be sharing my personal responses to the prompts of Reverb11. Below is my response from the sixth prompt.

What can you do to add ease to 2012?

Daily Meditation practice. I started this in October of this year and have found it to have a very calming effect. I have had trouble sleeping through the night for many years and this is a much better way of spending the nocturnal moments.

I really like this particular guided meditation narrated by Carman Warrington, Who am I?

Practicing the ancient Hawaiian system of Ho'oponoopono. I have been doing this every morning for twenty minutes before I get out of bed in the morning and at various times throughout the day when I find myself feeling unbalanced.

The Ho’oponopono process consists of repetitions of the following phrases:

I Love You
Please forgive me
I am sorry
Thank you

Psychic cleaning:

Removing things/memories from my life that no longer serve me.

Practicing detachment:

Suspending judgement. What if I stopped attaching meaning/judgement to my story? No right or wrong, not good or bad. Loving what is as Byron Katie says.

What if I stopped judging everyone else?

Reverb11: Year in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:17:00 +0000

Throughout December, I will be sharing my personal responses to the prompts of Reverb11.Below is my response from the third prompt.

3. Year in Review. As you reflect back on the happenings of 2011, what were your high points and what were your low points? What do you notice as you look back on the year as a whole?

High points:

Meeting Patti Digh and Clara Boza in person in Asheville, North Carolina.

Running in a new state, North Carolina(#15)

Going to Europe for the first time.

Seeing Les Miserables in London.

Running in two new countries(England and France(#3 and #4)

Training for and running the Paris marathon(#17) with my daughter Laura and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as members of Team in Training.

Celebrating my 28th wedding anniversary with my wife at the Sheraton.

The search for the perfect Margarita in Denver.

Meeting new people who have inspired me, Heather Ehle(Project Sanctuary), Cassandra Perkins(Global Voices)

Running the Colorado Relay race(200 miles, with my daughter and seeing the first ever proposal at the end of the relay.

Hugging Marci Shimoff, Don Miguel Ruiz and Cassandra Perkins at the Evolve Expo on 11/11/11.

Seeing Ragtime at the Arvada Center, Les Miserables at the Buell Theatre. Love going to the theater with my family.

Having this extended period of time to be able to spend time with my children.

Low points:

My mother slipping on black ice and breaking her ankle while walking our dogs.

Being away from home for 3 1/2 weeks in March. Longest time I have ever been away from my family.

Crippling shin pain that almost derailed being to run the Paris marathon. Initially thought that I had stress fractures in both shins, turned out it was a side effect of new Cholesterol medication(Lipitor).

Laura having her passport stolen the last night we were in Paris.

A hit and run that totaled my car.

Adam moving out.

Buying and starting a business that I had no passion for.

As I reflect on the year as a whole, there were many more high points than low points. It certainly has been a year of personal growth which has really felt uncomfortable. A year that started with career transition starting a new business, experienced family transition, my daughter got engaged, my son left home. Sue and I became empty nester's. It is just the two of us for the first time in 24 years.

As 2011 ends the question of what's next for me remains to be discovered. What is the work I am to do in the world?

30 Days of Thanks: Day 15

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:41:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

The opportunity to attend a free Kettle ball class. Wow, that was hard.

A beautiful fall day in Colorado.

A run at one of my favorite spots.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 14

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:29:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

A water pipe that broke in the basement as it moved me to action.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 13

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:37:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being 1 of 3,000 runners that laced up their shoes to support the work of the Fetal Hope Foundation. I love being a part of the Denver running community!

A beautiful fall day.

Clarity that is shaping a decision in my life.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 12

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:05:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being able to speak at the Team in Training Alumni Recruitment meeting.

A great day at the Evolve Expo:

Got see meet and listen to to Marci Shimoof, Don Miguel Ruiz and Cassandra Perkins.

Also got to hug Marci, Don and Cassandra!

Lots of inspiration today.

Date night with Sue.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 11

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:39:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Freedom that was we enjoy in our country given to us by the men and woman who serve and have served.

God Bless the troops!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 10

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:31:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being able to move my body

Being open to new possibilities

My family

30 Days of Thanks: Day 9

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:40:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being able to run 2 miles without pain.

A fun evening with a new friend, discussing the World Series, work, and life philosophy. I felt like I was back in college...

Feeling support from new and unexpected places.

Thirty Days of Thanks: Day 8

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:34:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Receiving this award from a new friend who is doing amazing work in the world at the age of 14.

This really made my day!

30 Days of Thanks: Day 7

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

This thought from a friend on Facebook.

"Breaking news: the verdict is in. Your body was made to move. Live. Breathe. Serve others. Laugh. Wake up!"-Sarah Stanley

Being able to work out at 24 HR fitness.

Having this gift of time in my life.

Feeling support from unexpected places.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 6

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:16:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being able to run the Anything is Possible 5K that started at 1:50 in the morning. One of the things that I love about the running community is every race benefits a charity. Inspired to be part of this community.

A fun afternoon at Noonan's Tavern with Sue, Adam, Laura and Chris watching the Bronco game. I am so grateful for the amazing relationship I have with my family. Great memories :)

30 Days of Thanks: Day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:22:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being able to have lunch with my great nephew Keegan and Laura and Adam.

4 mile run through one of my favorite parts of Denver.

Date night with Sue.

30 Days of Thanks-Day 4

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:05:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Spending time with Adam today bowling.

Having lunch with my parents.

Chicken A'la Sue for dinner :)

30 Days of Thanks-Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:30:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Being open to exploring what is possible

Having lunch with Adam and Laura

Running for no reason

30 Days of Thanks-Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:32:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

Having lunch with an old friend.

Being able to exercise every day if I so choose

An e-mail from Kelly's Aunt Linda.

30 Days of Thanks-Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Today I am thankful for:

My first run in 37 days. Being able to enjoy a beautiful fall day, the sound of leaves crunching underneath my feet as I ran. Hopeful that my Achilles heel has healed.

New friends I have made this year.

An unexpected visit from an old friend today.

Meditation and gratitude practice.

My family.

29 years

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:55:00 +0000

Sue and I went on our first date 29 years ago today.

I worked for a 1/2 day at a house that I was framing in Cherry Hills.

I borrowed my father's Oldsmobile so I Sue wouldn't have to ride in my truck on our first date.

She greeted me at the door of her apartment. She was wearing a pretty white dress.

We had tickets to the theatre to see A Chorus Line.

We drove over to Simms Landing and had a late dinner. We sat in our little booth and talked for a long time, the things you do on first dates.

We drove back to her apartment. I sat nervously on the couch with her. It had been such a long time since I had been on a date with someone that I liked, someone I was attracted to and wanted to be with.

It probably took me half an hour or longer for me to finally ask her if I could kiss her. I was so nervous.

And she said yes and we kissed and we kissed and it was another world waiting for me there.

I wonder if she will say yes tonight?

Military Appreciation Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:06:00 +0000

I have been away from this space for almost three months. I am hoping I can get back to writing again.

I went to a Military Appreciation lunch last week hosted by the Parker Chamber of commerce.

I came away from the meeting with a new found appreciation for, not just the men and women who serve us, take an oath to protect and defend the constition of our country, but for the families of these men and women.

There was a young woman who shared a story of the impact on their family during the Persian Gulf War. Her Dad was going to be deployed. He would leave for duty in two weeks.

Suddenly being the daughter of a military officer didn't equate to cool. Now it was scary.

The night before he was going to leave, he received notice that his deployment was delayed for two weeks. They had already said their good-byes and braced themselves for what was to come and now they would go through that again.

Two weeks passed and again his deployment would be delayed. This family lived this emotional roller coaster of not knowing over and over again for eight weeks. In the end her Dad never went to the Persian Gulf. The war ended before he was deployed and the seeds of fear of losing her Dad had been planted.

10 years later, she was teaching in an elementary school in Boston on 09/11. Her first thought on hearing of the terrorist attacks brought her fears back to the present. She was sure that this time, her Dad would be going to war. She called her father in tears, terrified that he would be called to fight this unseen enemy.

Her Dad told her to pull herself together, these kids need you to be strong. Now "Buckle Up". She broke down and had to be sent home.

Her Dad didn't go to war this time either. He eventually did go to war, and this time the enemy was cancer.

He died at the age of 58. She still lives the lessons her father taught her when she faces fear, "Pull yourself together and buckle down."

I had the honor to shake the hand of a chief warrant officer who served our country for 20 years and thank him for his service. It truly was an honor to be able to look him in the eye and to give thanks.

He gave me a brochure of poems he had written during his career. He warned me that I might need to have some kleenex nearby and he was right.

I have no frame of reference for what this is like to leave your family for an extended time. Earlier this year, I went to Charlotte for 3 1/2 weeks. I wasn't going to war, I would be safe and my family was safe and for me I still had that twinge of fear, uncertainty that would creep into my thoughts.

I can't imagine how these families are able to do this.

God bless our troops and their families.

We are Columbine

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly's runner) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:45:00 +0000

Twelve years have passed.

KOA radio replayed the first 9-1-1 call that came in from the school as I was driving to work today.

So sad.

Some of these young people would be turning 30, having children, getting promoted. Life milestones that will never happen

13 voices silenced.

The weather today is gloomy, raining like it did after the shootings. The heavens wept for these young people and their families.

These are the names of Columbine.

Cassie Bernall, 17. Active in church youth programs and Bible study groups. Recently visited Britain. Favorite movie was Mel Gibson's ''Braveheart.''

Steven Curnow, 14. A freshman, dreamed of being a Navy top gun and piloting an F-16. Watched ''Star Wars'' movies so often he could recite dialogue. Played soccer as a boy; learned to referee to earn pocket money.

Corey DePooter, 17. Loved to golf, hunt and fish. Former wrestler. Had taken maintenance job at a golf club to save up for a boat with a friend. Good student.

Kelly Fleming, 16. Aspiring songwriter and author. Wrote scores of poems and short stories based on her life experiences. Was learning to play guitar. Had recently moved from Phoenix. Was eager to get her driver's license and part-time job.

Matthew Kechter, 16. A junior, had hoped to start for the football team. Lifted weights. Maintained A average.

Daniel Mauser, 15. A sophomore, excelled in math and science, and earned straight A's on last report card. Ran cross country and joined debate team.

Daniel Rohrbough, 15. Helped in his father's electronics business and worked on family farms in Kansas during the summer. Enjoyed computer games, stereos and home theater systems.

William ''Dave'' Sanders, 47. Columbine teacher for 24 years, including in business and science. Coached girls' basketball and softball. Married, three daughters and 10 grandchildren. Shot twice in chest while directing students down hallway to safety. Survived at least 3 1/2 hours.

Rachel Scott, 17. Played lead in a student-written play, ''Smoke in the Room.'' Active in Celebration Christian Fellowship church. Liked photography. During rampage, younger brother Craig, 16, played dead in library and helped lead others to safety.

Isaiah Shoels, 18. Due to graduate in May. Suffered health problems as a child and had heart surgery twice. Wanted to attend an arts college and become a music executive. Small in stature but lifted weights and played football and wrestled.

John Tomlin, 16. Enjoyed driving off-road in his beat-up Chevy pickup. Worked after school in gardening store and belonged to a church youth group. Went on missionary trip to Mexico and built a house for the poor. Wanted to enlist in the Army.

Lauren Townsend, 18. Captain of girls' varsity volleyball team, coached by her mother. Member of the National Honor Society and candidate for valedictorian. Wanted to major in biology in college.

Kyle Velasquez, 16. Had attended Columbine only three months. Loved computers, the Denver Broncos and dreamed of joining the Navy, as his father had. Devoted to family. Buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

We are Columbine.