I can just about feel Rosanne toasting our soon to be run in this picture. I've been thinking lots abut Rosanne. Carl and I had the unique experience of being with Rosanne on the eve before she left us. At one point, she sat up out of an almost-coma, and said she wanted her shoes - she asked us how in the world she could go out with out her shoes on. I wonder what she knew? I think about that all the time.
Rosanne, I have a great pair of shoes for us. They have taken me on an incredible journey, and to me, are some seriously pumped up kicks. They are about to take us through The Boston Marathon. Can you believe it? I will have your prayer card in my pocket, along with my Dad's, my Nana's and some other special friends.
I miss her. I miss her love, her spirit, her intelligence, her kindness, her tolerance of all. The way she made people feel like we were her best friend - so many of us. I hope I can live every day in appreciation of my life, and the life that was cut short for her. In appreciation of the family and friends she so loved, that I am grateful every day to know. And I only knew her for such a short time! I can only imagine the way her family and friends feel.
I miss her for Michael. I miss her for her kids. I miss her for her family and Michael's family. For her army of friends. She was so good to all of them. She was so good for all of them. A proud, intelligent, liberal, Catholic woman. I'm proud to have been considered among her "Army" of friends. Any time Carl talks to his Auntie Lucy about Rosanne, she pulls out her prayer card - from right on top. Rosanne - your picture may not have been on Auntie's wall, but it is forever in her heart and by her bedside.
We are running many miles on Monday, for many people - those who have survived and kicked cancer's butt - those fighting, and those who lost their fight with Cancer - and also some of my family we have lost in recent years to other illness. Dennis (1 - Barb & Doug), Gene (2 - Kelley), Jackie (lucky Robin 3 - Diane), Walter, Barbara & Kathy (4,5,6 - Joyce & Kerry), MOM (lucky 7), My Papa (8), NANA (9), Lindsay (10- Katelyn), Terry Neely (11), Paul (12- Rachelle), ALEXANDER THE GREAT (13), Bill Shea (14), Kim & Karla Walker's Mom (15), Deb (17, Melissa), Debbie R-W (18), Gramma (19), Luisa (20), DAD (Lucky 21), Helen (22- Kathleen), WILLIE (23- Richard), Flo (24 - Pam), TONY (25 - Cathy), ROSANNE (26 - 26.2 - and of course, the whole race). Here are some of the prayer cards coming with me Monday in my back jacket pocket:
Rosanne, it's been a long journey since you passed on July 22. A long, painful, interesting, joyous journey. But together, we've raised a lot of money and logged a lot of miles. We've got a few more to go. 26.2 to be exact. You ready? I've got our shoes now!!! And what do you think of our vest???
