TGIF(Trust-Gratitude-Inspiration-Friday)

We went to the Colorado Rapids game last night with my soon to be son-in-law, Chris and my family. 

I saw this tweet from Chris that he had posted earlier during the day and I thought this was a wonderful intention that we could use not just on the 4th of July, but any day. 

Before the game started Chris, Laura and Adam set up shop giving away red, white and blue beads to the fans arriving for the game.  They were giving the beads away for free to anyone that wanted them and they asked for people to make an optional donation to the fire fighter relief fund that is being managed by the Red Cross.  By the time we headed into the game, they had collected $225.00 for the relief fund.  

Unfortunately, our state has numerous wildfires that are raging across the state.  Last week 19 firefighters lost their lives in Arizona fighting a wildfire.  This was the greatest loss of life of firefighter's since September, 11, 2001. 

This is a cause that matters greatly to Chris.  Chris and Laura are getting married next week and they have set up a special charity registry where all of the money that is raised will be donated  to the Red Cross. 

Please click here if you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross and support the efforts of the firefighter's and provide needed assistance to the families that have been displaced by these terrible fires. 

I am so grateful to Chris and Laura for thinking of others, to cast a beautiful ripple effect in wake of this ongoing tragedy. 

So get out there and make a difference, inspire someone! 

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We are Aurora, Colorado

View of Mount Evans from Aurora, Colorado

We are Aurora, Colorado. 


This is my home.  I raised my family here. 


This is my community. 


We live a mile from the Century 16 theaters. 


I got a text message from my son at 3:09 am on Thursday morning. 


"Just saw the new Batman movie in Parker.  There was a mass shooting at Century 16.  I almost went there...Wow."


"You really can't take life for granted.  I love you all."


Adam had been invited by two groups of friends to attend the midnight release of the new Batman movie.  


He chose to go with the group in Parker.  


Six of his friends went to Century 16.  They had seats in Theater eight.  


The killer chose Theater nine.  His friends made it out of the theater okay. 


Twelve people in theater nine did not. 


Adam found out while he was on the air Friday night that a classmate of his from high school(Micayla Medek)  was one of the twelve people that had not made it out of theater nine. 


Adam and his co-host Dario went on the air last night on Mile High Sports to serve a grieving community.  There was no talk about sports last night.  There will be another day for that.  They provided an open forum for people to talk about the shootings, to begin a long slow healing process.  The tone of the show was perfect, respectful, hopeful.  


I was so proud of Adam and Dario last night.  I am so grateful that my son is safe.  My heart aches for those who lost their sons and daughters. 


Tomorrow, my daughter Laura and I will be running in the Possibility 5K.  We will run carrying the Colorado state flag. 

 Tomorrow's race will be dedicated to the possibility of ending violence in our community, in our world. 


I don't want to refer to the people that lost their lives as victims.  They went to the theater to enjoy a midnight release of a much anticipated movie.   They went to the theater at midnight.  They couldn't wait.  They were excited. They were choosing life.  Let it rip!  That is not how a victim lives their life.   They are the winner's. 


Here's to the winners...


Jessica Redfield was an aspiring sports writer in her mid-20s who had narrowly escaped another mass shooting in Toronto just last month.


Alex Sullivan was at the movie as part of this 27th birthday celebration. Sunday was to be his wedding anniversary.


Matt McQuinn was killed while trying to provide cover for his girlfriend, a family spokesman said.


Petty Officer Third Class John Larimer was a U.S. Navy sailor from Crystal Lake, Ill.

Micayla Medek is among the dead, her father's cousin, Anita Busch, told the AP.


AJ Boik graduated from Gateway High School this year where he played baseball, a family spokesman said.


Jesse Childress was injured in the shooting and died at the hospital.

He was a reservist with the Air Force and worked as a cyber-systems operator at Buckley Air Force Base.


John Blunk, "He always talked about if he were going to die, he wanted to die a hero," his estranged wife, Chantel Blunk, told NBC News. Blunk was at the movie with a friend who credited him with saving her life.


Veronica Moser-Sullivan is was just 6 years old. Veronica's mother, Ashley, 25, was wounded in the attack and lies paralyzed in a nearby hospital, authorities said.

Alex Teves' father, Tom Teves, told ABC News that his son had blocked his girlfriend from a bullet when he was shot and killed himself.


Rebecca Wingo was 32, the coroner reported. Wingo grew up in Quinlan, Texas, about 65 miles east of Dallas. She graduated from Ford High School. Her friends say she was funny and always cracking jokes.


Gordon W. Cowden was 51, the coroner reported.


We are Aurora, Colorado. 


We are Platte Canyon High School


We are Columbine


This is my home, my community. 


In the words of Emily Keyes, ""I love u guys. K?"

Get back to living.  Let it Rip!!!  That's how the winner's lived their lives.  Let's get after it.

Light and Love x Aurora, Colorado x forever...

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Who is your light saber?

Do you have a Jedi knight in your life?  

Who carries a light saber for you? 

In the Star Wars trilogy there is much talk about the power of the force, especially the dark side.  

What does the light saber symbolize?   

To me it represents power.   Light side Jedi knights use their power to help others.   The light saber is used to defend, not to attack.  It is only used for good.

“You can’t win, Darth. Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.”~ Obi Wan Kenobi

This is my favorite line from any of the Star Wars movies.  I replace the word Darth, with cancer. That is my message to cancer, from Kelly.  Cancer never wins.  Kelly's life is so powerful....

In an epic battle between good and evil, a lightsaber climax ensues between Darth Vader, and his former teacher.  Obi Wan understood the power of the force and  illustrates the inherent weakness of the dark side of the force, that in using it for evil, they fail to see its true power.

When I first talked to Cassandra about running as a woman of the year candidate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I gave her a blood cancer freedom fighter rock that was left over from when Laura and I ran the Paris marathon for Kelly. 

The word on the back of the rock was "powerful".  I asked Cassie to pick up her light saber, to be a global voice for a world without blood cancers.  I knew she would be a powerful advocate for this cause. 

Inspiring messages from the Rock Fairy

I have no doubt that Cassandra would use her light saber to protect and defend Taylor and Jack, the girl and boy of the year for  the Rocky Mountain chapter. 

Taylor, Cassandra, and Jack at the grand finale. 

And for the last ten weeks of her campaign and in the weeks leading up to it that is exactly what she has done.  She has stood for the possibility of a world without blood cancers, a world for Taylor and Jack to live in. 

She has used her light saber to defend Taylor and Jack against the evil and unrelenting nature of cancer. 

The dark side of of cancer will attempt to discourage those that take up the fight. 

I think this would be Cassandra's message to cancer as she begins a new chapter in her life as a blood cancer freedom fighter.  

"Never. I'll never turn to the dark side.  I'll never give up. You've failed.  I am a Jedi, like the freedom fighters before me.

2011 Woman of the Year candidate, Catherine(16,far left) with Cassandra

Never Ever Give Up!

My message to Cassandra is one of heartfelt gratitude for honoring the possibility that we can live in a world without blood cancer, that we can all make a difference for one another. 

Thank you for being my  light saber, for becoming a powerful ally in the fight against blood cancers. 

Thank you for your friendship, for your support, for being a stand for my life. 

For me, you will forever be the 2012 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Woman of the Year.

My Woman of the Year!!!

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Cassandra Perkins, Woman of the Year Campaign is underway

And we are off! 


Rocking blood cancer!


Fighting for the world we want to create.  Fighting for our angels and our heroes. 


The polls are open to begin voting for the Man/Woman of the year candidates. 

What is Man & Woman of the Year?

Each year, in communities across the country, dynamic, passionate candidates engage in a spirited competition to earn The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Man & Woman of the Year" titles, by raising funds for blood cancer research. The candidates compete in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors, the Boy & Girl of the Year. Every dollar counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the man and woman with the most votes at the end of ten weeks; the top local fundraisers in the country win the national titles.

Man & Woman candidates are goal-oriented and compassionate. Their relentless efforts are focused on making life better for hundreds of thousands of patients battling blood cancers: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

I had the honor this year to nominate Cassandra Perkins to run as a woman of the year candidate for the Rocky Mountain Chapter. 

I met Cassandra last summer through some volunteer work I was doing with Youth for Parker and Project Sanctuary.  As I got to know Cassandra, I became more and impressed with this young woman.   

I listened to Cassandra speak at the Evolve Expo last fall and was mesmerized by the story she shared and totally blown away by how powerful she was in her own life at the age of 14 and so touched by her determination to make a difference in the world. 

Cassandra's bio includes:

• Actor
• Executive Producer
• Spokes Model for Be Your Own You
• Stunt Woman
• Entrepreneur
• Author
• Keynote Speaker
• Internet talk show host
• Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter
• High School student

I would say that is a pretty impressive looking resume and Cassandra is 15 years old!

Dynamic, passionate, inspirational, compassionate, fearless are just a few words I would use to describe Cassandra.

I nominated Cassandra because I truly believe that she is going to have a huge difference in this race to find a cure for blood cancer. 

I hope you will support Cassandra during her 10 week campaign as she fights to create a world without blood cancer and be as inspired by her as I am.   

A world without cancer awaits.  Let's rock this!

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Gathering Place

For me, one of my favorite places: City Park-Denver Colorado. I have been running races here spanning 3 decades now and what this represents to me is community. 
My running tribe, connection, belonging, memories.


 My first race ever in the dark, running intervals with my daughter last winter while we trained for the Paris marathon.


 Coming together as a community to heal shortly after 9-11, running as part of the United Airlines team.


I love my running community. Today's run supported an organization called the Gathering Place. The Gathering Place is Denver’s only daytime drop-in center for women and children who are experiencing homelessness and poverty. The start line is my gathering place...

The children for Lake International school raised money to support the vital work of the Gathering Place. 


Week after week, the running community comes together and supports numerous non-profits here in Colorado. 

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Worldwide Running Community

This is too good not to share.

Please watch the slideshow of the worldwide run that honored Sherry Arnold last weekend.

Runners across the United States, Egypt, China, Switzerland to name a few places came together in outpouring of support for Sherry and her family.

WOW!

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Running for Sherry Arnold

I fastened my race bib to my shirt and ran in honor of Sherry Arnold this morning.

I can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures that the worldwide running community posts about this. 

I ran just under 4 miles, that has become a long run for me these days.  

As I ran I thought about Sherry Arnold and her family and I have never been so proud as I was this morning that I am a part of an amazing community.  A community of runners. 

Runners Edge of the Rockies had over 150 people that came out to run in the snow and 14 degree weather. That is just one of I am sure many more stories to be told about communities that came together because the unthinkable had happened to one of us. 

Please be sure and check out the post from Shut Up and Run about the outpouring of love and support for Sherry and her family. 

Running for Sherry:  Courage, Strength, Grace. 

Honored. 

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2012 Woman of the Year

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!

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Military Appreciation Day

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.

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Worth Fighting For-Whitney

One of the things Laura and I wanted to do during this season with TNT in addition to raising money to find a cure for blood cancers was to increase awareness of this disease by sharing the stories of those who have touched by a blood cancer.


Whitney is one of our awesome team heroes for this season and it is because Whitney is worth fighting for that we continue to ask for donations to accelerate a cure for blood cancers, to raise awareness. This is an inspired call to action.

It is my honor to share Whitney's story with you. 

If you are so inspired I would ask for you to take a few more minutes and make a tax deductible donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society  to honor Whitney and what she fought for during her treatment and what she continues to fight for now.

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Celebrate Honor Inspire Friday

I have had the most amazing experience over the last seven days.

I have a Rock Fairy in my life now and I think everyone needs a Rock Fairy.  Way cooler than a Fairy God Mother.

I was looking for an idea to give our fund raising that Laura and I are doing for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a jumpstart.

I had this idea to give a small keepsake to anyone that donated 10.00 or more to our webpage.  Something that people might want to keep, something unique and the idea was born.  Start a movement, become a Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter.

I had recently placed an order to the Rock Fairy and when I placed my order, I asked for two custom made rocks.  I wanted one of the rocks to say, Celebrate Honor Inspire as that was my three word theme for 2011 and I wanted a rock that said Run 26.2 for Kelly. 

I wrote to Kim deBroin Mailhot(Aka the Rock Fairy) and asked would it be possible to place a special order for 100 rocks that would all have the same inscription.  What would it cost to do that?

To my amazement, Kim replied not only was it possible, but she would donate the rocks and her time to paint the rocks.  No charge.  Simply pay the shipping costs.  She wanted to help, she wanted to make a difference.  The rocks were her gift to Laura and me to help us in this fight to create a world without blood cancers.

Kim even made the rocks two sided, one side says Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter and the other side has an inspirational word.  She did this because to her it felt right, and I love them.  One of my favorites, says "Together" on the back.  

You can read more about Kim's efforts by clicking here.

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."-Martin Luther King

I hope those that are reading may be inspired to make a donation, or find their own calling to service, to greatness.

I don't know what the ripple effect of Kim's kindness will create in the world.  I do know what it did for me.

I was so touched in part that she chose to do this to help Laura and me celebrate Kelly's life, honor what she stood for, what she fought for.  A life that continues to inspire us.

To get your very own Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter rock  please click here and make a tax dedeuctible donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of 10.00 or more and reserve your spot on the Blood Cancer Freedom Fighter's Wall of fame.

Rock on!!!

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Light and Love

Nice message in this post from Brene Brown on Martin Luther King day.

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The One Flaw In Women

I love the message in this movie.

Enjoy :)

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Turn up the heat on blood cancer for Kelly's birthday

Today Kelly would be 22 years old and I am asking for your support to help me honor her life and all that she fought for in this battle against blood cancer. Kelly was such an inspiration to me! I will never forget her courage and loving attitude throughout her cancer journey. Please read the story on my website about how Kelly became my hero.

Will you help by:

1. Clicking on the link below and make a tax deductible donation in Kelly's honor. I am suggesting a donation of $26.22, one dollar per mile and one penny to commemorate each year of the anniversary of her birthday. If you are moved to give more that would be wonderful, however any amount would be so appreciated and will make an impact in the lives of patients and their families that are struggling today with this relentless disease.

2. Share the link to our team web page on Facebook or Twitter or link to this page on your blog.

3. Leave us a note of encouragement on our web page. We would love to hear from you.

If you would rather donate by check, please let me know and I will be glad to send you a self addressed stamped envelope.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Please click here to help fund lifesaving research, turn up the heat on cancer and make a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to honor Kelly's life. We need your help to move the needle in this fight. Be 212° Be the difference!

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Mission moment for Kelly

I asked if I could give the mission moment before the start of our group run on Saturday.as  I wanted to do something to honor Kelly this weekend.

We have a mission story before the start of every group run, to remind us of why we run, why we are raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I shared a glimpse of Kelly's story from mid January 2008, written by her Mother, Patty.  When I got to the words make no mistake, I felt overwhelmed with emotions.  I had to stop and compose myself.  I felt sad as I read those words and at the same time I felt incredibly inspired by who Kelly was and what she stood for, what she fought for, I felt so grateful for her life.

Kelly is in quite a bit of pain but doesn't want to be admitted for IV pain medication so is just doing oral pain meds at this time. she has turned down the only new protocol available at this time - it would involve PEG asparginase shots which caused her to have a stroke when she was 7. understandable. so there are few options available - most likely little chance for remission.



Please pray for wisdom as we meet with doctors on Monday to decide on a course of treatment to ease Kelly's pain and to slow down the leukemia so we might have more time (we so want more time!)


just a quick update. Kelly's pain is much better - the continuous morphine pills have achieved a more constant level in her blood -. kelly has chosen a "maintenance" plan - most likely will not achieve a remission but hopefully buy some time and make her more comfortable. she has also chosen to stay in Seattle for about 6 more weeks to put a pain management plan in place and also a detailed care plan for when we return home to Montana. she will meet with her friends from Child Life at the hospital - young ladies she has worked with and loves - and they will work with her to prioritize her time left and ascertain some goals and decisions she has control over.


make no mistake, this 19-year-old is fully aware of her prognosis. and she is still hopeful that maybe, as before, a new treatment option will come available that works. she is also still the fighter she has always been - her life, her dreams, time with her family and friends are still worth fighting for she feels. she truly inspires me - she plans to live, truly live each day.

And over the last two months of her life, Kelly lived her life.

She attended fundraiser’s for Children’s hospital of Seattle and the Ronald McDonald house where she and her family spent so much of their lives during her treatment. She met her transplant donor Emily who gave us the gift of Kelly living cancer free for almost 5 years and she fought so hard for her final wish to be home when it was her time and in the end the cancer killed itself, Kelly lived joyfully and vibrantly till her last breath.

Emily and Kelly at Childrens Hospital

Tomorrow is Kelly’s birthday and she would have been 22 and so I ask that in the weeks and months ahead that we honor what Kelly was important to Kelly. Her life and what she believed in is worth fighting for.

I love you Kelly, you are my hero. Happy Birthday.



Sunrise 01/09/2009



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