Victory at the gym

Many of you know that I continue to go to the gym and run. Getting out isn't always easy but I have promised myself that I will do it at least 3 times a week. I run because running has a certain rhythm to it that is comforting. It clears my head and I can literally feel the negativity that loves to creep over me disappear. According to some of the reading I have done exercise is great for staving off depression. I continue to have a love hate relationship with running. I love what it does for my mind and my body but I hate the actual running. Over the last couple of months at the gym I have noticed that there are different types of runners.

The first and most relaxed kind are the readers. These are the individuals that get on the treadmills or more often the elliptical trainers with a magazine or book and then casually move their legs. They are often dressed to impress and carry a certain "I don't have a care in the world" about them. They are usually young!

Then there are the speed walkers. These individuals mean business. With their arms and legs pumping they climb hills and mountains usually while watching the t.v. The look on their faces says "I dare you to get in my way!"

There are also the jumpers. These are the people that seem to bounce on the treadmill. They always seem happy despite the fact that they are working out. I love to watch these people. I wish that I had as much energy as they do.

I have no name for the most graceful of all the runners. They are usually quite tall and wear an ipod, rarely do they watch t.v. They take giant fluid strides as they move along. They almost appear to be moving in slow motion despite the fact that they are normally moving at least 6 miles per hour. They make running look amazingly easy as they barely seem out of breath even though the sweat is running down their faces and necks.

I don't really fall into any of these categories. I do not read, or watch t.v. I am not graceful or bouncy. In fact, I pretty much fight for every step that I take and it often takes me over a mile to find my rhythm despite being on a machine. Today as my lungs started to throb before I had reached the half mile mark(humidity) I did something I have never done on the treadmill before. I prayed for well being and strength. Within a minute the throbbing stopped and the cramp that I had disappeared too. For the first time I ran and I ran and I ran. I had finally found my rhythm. Not graceful, not bouncy but my own style and in the end I ran over 3 miles. That was my goal for the end of summer. Victory!

Love to you all,

Kristen

Step One

Today I put down a deposit and secured a venue and date for the fundraiser we are planning for Georgia's birthday. It will be the afternoon of October 3rd so write it down in your calendars. It will be at the Notre Dame Rec Centre in Saint Boniface so that should be relatively central for everybody. We are planning to have a bouncer and face painting for the kids as well as food and drinks and raffle prizes. I will be recruiting an army of volunteers at the beginning of September so if you are interested in helping please stay tuned. If anyone can help out with prizes that would be very much appreciated! All proceeds from Georgia's fundraiser will go to FSMAC.

I am also joining the Island Lakes garage sale this year. For those of you that don't know what this is, it is a community wide garage sale that attracts hundreds of people. All proceeds from our driveway will be donated to the Children's Hospital. If you have anything that you would like to throw in for a great cause please contact me. The garage sale normally takes place the Saturday after the long weekend.

For those of you who are still wondering about Vegas here is the abbreviated version. We arrived late on Sunday night but managed to walk down the strip and take in some of the sights including the last fountain show at the Bellagio. The next day we got up late, had breakfast, went to the museum, went to the outlet mall, went to see the Allstars show at the Stratosphere, had dinner and then went down to Freemont street (Old Vegas). The next day becomes a blur but I do know that we walked through Ceasar's, hung out by our pool and went to see Mystere. The next day, also a blur but more walking, time at the pool and "O". The last day after we checked out and had no pool we went to the Titanic Exhibit and got to see real artifacts from the ship, including "the big piece" which is a huge piece of the ship. We spent our last evening watching the sun set from the top of the Stratosphere 108 stories up, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Mike put $1.00 into a machine and I didn't even do that. Call us boring, we don't care. Gambling just isn't our thing.

This is the last that you will hear me talk about Vegas. It is a surreal and fun place. Mike and I enjoyed just having time together in a world that seems very far from reality. As much as we needed time away our reality is still a much better place than Vegas could ever be.

Love to you all,

Kristen

The Brave Little Soul

Many of you have called or emailed asking for more details about Vegas and I am happy to share them but tonight on the eve of the 3 month marker of Georgia's passing I thought that I would share a story instead. If you've read it before, please read it again. It's a good one. Thanks for sending it Em!

For Lisa, Laurie, Victoria, Lorraine, Candace, Jessica, Jolene, and anybody else facing staggering challenges especially with their children.

The Brave Little Soul By: John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed."

Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased

Thanks Georgie for reminding us all how to love and become better people! We miss you so much but strive each and every day to open our hearts and to love without fear.

Love to you all,

Kristen

As promised here are a few pictures from Vegas. Truthfully we took most of them on the first day at the wax museum and sadly we have none of us together. Don't know why we didn't think to ask someone to take our picture! No matter, we have great memories!

Love to you all,

Kristen