One Week to Go. Living Strong. Like Book Ends.

I'm STILL counting down the days until my birthday. One more week. And I'll be 40. WHOOP!!

I'm ending this week and beginning the next with a fight. MY fight is simply to be out of bed with running shoes laced at an hour when it's still dark and cold. My fight is NOTHING compared to theirs. Tomorrow is the Livestrong Challenge. A speedy-fast 5K.

This is Livestrong '07. We raced the year after Michele kicked melanoma's ass. This year, she's in grad school ... smart thing ... and her sister just had a precious baby girl ... so they're sitting the race out this year. With good reason. I'll be happy to grab their share of race-day swag AND eat their share of race-day snacks. But, I'll miss 'em.

This is Race for the Cure '07. The boys were little, huh? MAMA'S COMIN' to race this one w/ me again. Next weekend.

As much as I like to think it's ALLLLLL about me, this week, it's not.
I've got a list. People who are way more important than I am.
A list of fighters.
And this week is all about them.

OK, deep breath. Here goes:
My Papa
Barbara R.
WOMAN!!
Michele's Father-in-Law
Michele's Uncle x 2
Johnnie
Van
Neany
Kristina's Mama
Kristina's Papa
Kristina's Brother-in-Law
Kristi
L. Lou's Mama
L. Lou's Nephew
Thomas M.
Russell's Papa
Gran Dot
Clara
Uncle Ralph
Rebecca's friend and her liver
My high school guidance counselor. She was the first person I ever saw in a casket. Wearing a scarf. It made an impression.
Linda from Facebook w/ two young children.
Stephanie's sister with two young children.
Roger R.
Mrs. K.
Mrs. B.
Miss Marilyn
Barbara T.
The friend of a friend w/ the brain tumor that just WILL NOT GO AWAY!
In-laws I've never met. But, I've heard your stories.
There are others.
Brave others.
Type their names in comments and I just might go a little crazy and cover myself w/ their names in black Sharpie in the morning.
In "Gras-ti-tude" for all the fighters who make my life seem as easy as I know it is but that I sometimes/too often don't appreciate.
I'm proud of you.
WOW. Really proud.
Now, about those names? Send 'em in!!