Okay, as I knew it would, my run this morning resulted in a heightened level of awareness and energy.

Physical awareness.
I GET TO invest in new running shoes. Not just any running shoe. The ones I know are for my running style and feet. These run down ones are not going to help my back and knee issues.

Through the spring and summer months cardio was pretty much nonexistant. I GET TO readjust my weight training schedule to account for my increased cardio needs for preparation of Denver.

More importantly I experienced spiritual awareness

I GET TO recall many memories of Jonnae. I always do in the "quietness" of my run. I'm listening to playlists Jonnae created for me and recalling memories of her strong 'I WILL NOT QUIT" muscle.

I recalled how every time I anticipated seeing sadness, fear, disappointment, frustration, any of those things that hearing "you've got leukemia", "you've relapsed", "the leukemia is back AGAIN", "this is it baby, we're not going to beat it" would bring. Instead I saw courage, acceptance, and "I WILL NOT QUIT". I believe she knew in spirit that she wasn't going to live on this earth for long, but I believe her spirit led her body to exude strength in every possible way. Physically included. We watched her lie in bed, exhausted and lifeless for days. When we told her we were taking her home to await the end, she pulled up this "I WILL NOT QUIT" strength and walked laps in the hospital, offering them up as prayer for other patients as we often did. I was continually amazed and in awe at her capability to overcome adversity and bear her cross with dignity and grace. I used that this morning as I wanted to call it a day, before my distance was complete. I'm blessed with a "spiritual energy reserve" to draw on as a result of having seen the best example of "I WILL NOT QUIT". It's impossible to completely transfer the power those memories provide, because you needed to see it to completely know just how amazing it was. But I can do my best through written word in sharing it and try to give you strength, power, and energy to see how blessed you are to "GET TO" push yourself through this training, to GET TO make a difference in these young peoples and their families lives, and to GET TO BE THE CHANGE God desires, you crave, and our world needs.

God blesses us always, in ALL ways,
Denise

Thank you so much for this post Denise. I remember when I first started here these were the stories you told in real time, it was what you & Jonnae were going through that day, in that moment and I grew so much motivation, inspiration and drive from your words and Jonnae's strength.

Thank you for this reminder today to help me keep my mind right and my I WILL NOT QUIT muscle working hard!

Love you girl!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mellie Thank you so much for this post Denise. I remember when I first started here these were the stories you told in real time, it was what you & Jonnae were going through that day, in that moment and I grew so much motivation, inspiration and drive from your words and Jonnae's strength. Thank you for this reminder today to help me keep my mind right and my I WILL NOT QUIT muscle working hard! Love you girl!

Denise...I remember that too!!! You and Jonnae's strength and courage...your example of grace under pressure.....all experiences that helped motivate, inspire and shape and me into the me I am today! I am so grateful. Thank you for your beautiful blessing and reminder that God does bless us always in ALL ways!!!

Love you!

Denise, so beautiful and inspiring. Thank you Cindy