Home, East Nashville, TN: I was going to try to make this post consistent to the last 2 entries by writing them from the field, but I just had to get home. And take a long, hot shower. Now that I am slightly rejuvenated and definitely fresher, I'd like to share my thoughts about the last few hours of the Relay for Life.
4 AM was when it got really tough. The thrill of staying up overnight was long gone, the legs (and the left hip) started to mildly ache and the question "why am I doing this again?" started surfacing. As I looked at the Nashville skyline AGAIN, I made it my mission to just keep going. For those who are dealing with issues they never signed up for, for those who have to just let go because they have no control over a situation, for those who must push through each day because there just is no other choice... I kept going for them and for all of us who face hardships in our life.
Of course, Kortney & I did take a moment to lay down on the cement to collect our thoughts (and rest our feet).
As those teams that stuck it out for the whole event walked together for the last loop, we calculated the number of miles we walked. Since I've been moving 12 hours, it's 7 in the morning and I am inherently HORRIBLE at math, Kortney somehow figured out that our total approximate miles walked was 40. FOURTY MILES of walking! Not that it makes us ready for the Marathon or anything but it felt good to know we accomplished so much more than we signed up for.
As I witnessed the sky lighten and the nighttime suddenly disappear, I can say that not only am I proud for signing up, raising money and being a part of such a great cause, but I am also even more confident that no matter what life throws your way, you really do just have to keep going. And no matter how bad it could get, there will always be people around you -- even if it's in the form of someone who will walk for you for 12 hours. It may seem like you're going in circles, but eventually, the sun comes up and it's a new day with new possibilities.
A very, very special thanks for all those who donated to me. Soon, I am going to get the final results of how much money I was able to gather, but for now, I need enjoy the possibility of SLEEP immediately.
