"I can't think of a more depressing, dark, sad time in my life than two years ago, January, February, and March of 2016. Each one of my children going through their own hell on earth, but because I was so wrapped up in my own, I couldn't be the mom or the wife I needed to be. Everything seemed to indicate that Kayla would not live much longer on earth. I couldn't work or perform the daily things that a person needs to do to make life happen. My friends, coworkers, family, and people I don't even know carried me through those months. We spent a lot of time crying, begging God for more time, and really just grieving. Kayla couldn't even walk. She could barely speak words. We tried to think about happy things and talk about them, but even the happy thoughts made us sad. It's hard to explain. It was hard for Morgan to come home from college. The reality was too hard to deal with for a 19 year old. Andrew was getting ready to graduate from high school and preparing for college. But he took the back seat, and took on a major role in helping me take care of his sister. Looking back on those days is hard. I really would rather just block it all out. But, tonight I remember because Kayla asked me to write about why I'm running 19 miles next month.
I am running for my girls. Because in a million years, I would never have imagined that I would be running along side them at Disney World in February of 2018. On February 24th I will run 6.2 miles, and on the 25th I will run 13.1. I cannot wait.
I am running for every single child that has ever had, that has, or that will have cancer. I may be running for your child, your grandchild, your niece or nephew, your best friend's kid.... and you don't even know it yet. But I am running for them, for their sisters, their brothers, their moms and their dads. I am running for every family affected by childhood cancer.
Will you support my run to end childhood cancer? I won't be the fastest, but I will finish, and I will finish strong with my two princesses and heroes by my side. Help me make it count." -Christen Perry
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"This February, I am running 19.3 miles in hopes to make a change for myself, and raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Running is something that I do not enjoy, not even to the slightest. It makes me hot, sweaty and self conscious and I have to convince myself that it’s good for me every time I tie my shoe laces. If I had it my way, I would have a rockin’ awesome body without ever having to run another day in my life, but that is why I am taking the step to push myself harder than I ever have before. I am running because I deserve the chance to show the world what I can do when I put my mind to the challenge. It may be hard, but I will finish and I will finish strong. I am also running because there are many who can’t, and who would give anything to run just a few more steps. Many children all over the world leave this Earth way too soon because of cancer, and I am going to push through because they all deserve to have someone run for them. I may struggle, but it is nothing compared to the fight a child endures when cancer comes into their body and I am ready to take on the challenge." -Morgan Perry
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"In the winter of 2016, I was unable to walk, stand, or even sit up on my own. I needed help eating, you would have had a hard time understanding me when I spoke, and I was fairly certain my time on earth was coming to an abrupt end. Fast forward two years, and I am training for my first half marathon. I would have laughed in the face of anyone who predicted this back then! I will be running alongside my mom and sister (and thousands of other princesses!) in a 10K on February 24th, 2018, and a half marathon on February 25th, 2018. For me, these miles are about the miraculous journey I've been on. During these runs, I will be thinking about and praying for every friend I've met along the way. My hope is that there is a child undergoing cancer treatments right now who will shock themselves in two years by conquering milestones they're too afraid to even dream of right now. Please join us by donating to fund childhood cancer research. Every mile for me is a miracle. Help me make it count!" -Kayla Funk
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