Have you ever seen the movie “Bucket List”…its about 2 old guys that made a list of things they want to do before dieing. Its pretty sad but puts life into perspective for some. A few years ago the principal at our school had us make a bucket list at an all staff meeting. I don’t remember everything I put but a few were:
- Becoming a Mother
- Becoming a Grandmother
- “Do” Europe
- Run a marathon
- Go to Bora Bora and stay in a water bunglo
- Compete in a triathlon…etc. etc. etc.
August 2009…when I found out that I had a tumor but wasn’t sure the severity of my condition I started to think about that Bucket List that I started a few years back. I started thinking about all the stuff I had to do before dieing…I just wasn’t ready to be done on this Earth yet. So during treatment, when I was sick I said “I have to compete in a damn triathlon before I die….so once this chemo-crap is one I’m doing one before the year is over” (it was already 2010 at this time). I was told of a tri in Hemet in December and set my eyes on that goal. Welllllll lovely friends of mine, Melissa Sullinger (aka Bender) and Shannon Nielsen got me signed up and training for the Trek Womens Tri in La Quinta. I was posting this on facebook and a friend of mine (Tina Rivera) decided she too needed to do this…she signed up and got motivated. So I had been “training” (not very well BUT I was training kinda)..and 10-10-10 came!
Here are a few pictures from my AMAZING experience of my first triathlon…Thank you Bender and Shannon (and Tina too!) for sharing this day with me!!! You girls kicked butt and were still able to cheer my booty across the finish line…(Sorry Tina I needed shade and didn’t see ya finish!)
 Me and the Girls getting ready for the swim!!! |   My AWESOME supportive hubby (nice shirt cutie! ;) And the calm before the storm!! |
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I thought about you this weekend, for a couple of reasons. One, because I knew you were competing in your first triathlon. But more importantly because I was reminded of the unbroken spirit you maintained during your fight. Sadly, my family lost a dear friend to cancer on Saturday. Seven months ago she celebrated her 5 year remission anniversary and in the same month was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She fought HARD and with the same amazing spirit and attitude that I watched you have. You would have never known she was sick, based on her attitude about life. I admire people like you & her and have learned so many life lessons.
ReplyDeleteYosh's shirt says it all...you are truly a hero to so many! Way to go Erin!!
You never stop amazing me oh daughter of mine!!! God bless you. We love you very much. xoxo
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