Wow

What a difference a year makes...Carrie (mentioned in prior posts aka Cancer Warrior Chick) has been cancer free for an entire year! Amazing. Emotional. Inspiring.

My wonderful friend, Missy, is cancer free and just had a beautiful baby girl. What a gift.

It's been a year since Rose was stolen from us by her cancer. She is another amazing and inspirational woman. I think about Jess, her daughter and my friend, during this time and wonder what do you say to help ease the pain? I've decided that nothing will ever help that, the void will always be there. So instead I send her texts that say things like, "Hey! I was just thinking about you, hoping that you're doing well. Love you!". Not enough. Never enough.

I have a doctor's appointment next week. I've had this freckle/mole/beauty mark on my back that has been bothering me for a while. It's changed shape, raised a bit and now it's itching. I'm worried, I can't lie. I've seen what people go through when something little turns into something much bigger than they thought. I'm trying not to overreact which for me is like trying to keep an ice cube from melting on the pavement in July.

I haven't been running since winter hit Michigan. It's just too cold and I can't face the treadmill. I've got running on my mind though. I am looking forward to the first sign of Spring so I can strap my shoes back on and pound some pavement. I haven't forgotten why I first started running though. It's with me every time I think about it, read about it, talk about it. I started for Rose and I was inspired by Carrie and Missy.

I run so that maybe I won't be someone else's inspiration in the future.