Hope and Comfort

 

My walk for MS was a blessing and challenge in SO MANY way! I was constantly amazed at the number of new names I would gather, to add to my walking shirt, and the stories behind those names. The original plan was to travel to San Diego and join a group of other walkers for a 3 Day 50 Mile trek in the sunshine, with ocean breezes. But after the past 2 years of Covid and rise of costs, I made the decision to stay in Montana and do my 50 miles here.  

In the midst of training I injured my knee, requiring some physical therapy and changes in plans. Sometimes the bumps in the road demand alternatives to the route! Many times it is in the detours that the best route is actually found, with new friends gained along the way!! That proved to be the case in the new plans began to come to view.

 I decided that instead of one fifty mile route I would do 5 ten mile walks, in different areas of our valley, giving an opportunity to bring awareness to more people.  What an adventure that proved to be!! I had committed to myself, that one of the walks would  be in Whitefish, MT. 

The San Diego walk was to take place the first week of November and my plan was to continue to walk thru October. 

Toward the end of September, I learned my oldest sister was in Hospice care. She would soon join my Mother and another sister,  both whom had lost their memories and lives to Alziehmers. Almost, immediately, upon hearing that her battle was ending, an opportunity to Walk a 100 Miles, in October for Dementia. My heart needed this walk.  The one community that I hadn't covered yet was Whitefish, so I made that my last walk for MS. (I was asked why I felt I needed to walk Whitefish? No one else knew of that commitment. My answer, "Because, the most important promises are sometimes the ones you have made to yourself")  I was blessed beyond measure, as I met new friends, collected some last donations gathered a couple new names and in my heart, walked over the finish line. I felt like I had kept my commitment and with the generosity of so many friends, family and strangers we had gone above the $2500 goal.

The final donations brought the MS Walk total to $3563!! 

My sister passed, on October 22, 2022. 

On October 3, after completing the MS Walk I switched my focus and completed the 100 miles in her honor.

Looking back on my past history it is interesting to find that walking has become my way of bringing HOPE to others and peace and joy to my soul. At the moment I have no plans for 2023.....

Walking in the storm....

While scanning through my former blogs I found this 'draft' that I had never completed. It was started as I was in training for one of my 3Day walks for breast cancer. At the moment I am living in Arizona,  the 'land of sunshine' but am very aware of the clouds that can creep over our lives.  This spoke to my heart as I re-read it and recalled the day.  The concept of being a "Parter of  the Clouds' has been stirring in my heart the past few weeks so I thought maybe it would bring a challenge to another  heart out there! So here it is.....

I have made the commitment in my training to take my walking to the 'outdoors' as much as possible. There is something about breathing in the fresh air that wakes my mind and puts a spring in my step.  In the last couple days I have been reminded of the changes that can take place so quickly in Montana and I was reminded how it reflects life.

Yesterday I started out in cloudy overcast skies. As I continued to walk, the sun broke through.  An hour later I came out from lunch to rain. My commitment to the walk was made and the weather that lay ahead was was not a factor. Commitment is not determined by circumstances, RIGHT??  As I walked and the rain began to fall I had no place to hide. The chill of the storm had found it’s way deep inside my bones. When I arrived home the warmth of fire began to melt the ice.  

This morning the sky was blue, the sun was shining and my anticipation of a day to enjoy Gods' beautiful creation put a smile on my face.I quickly learned that although the sun was out and  the sky was blue that the thermometer showed little hope of a 'WARM sunshiny day.'

It is amazing the difference sunshine and blue skies have on the attitude and strength of resolve.

Isn't that how life goes? We can wake up to an 'overcast' day...something is nagging at our heart or head and the day seems a bit cloudy. As the day goes on we may find ourselves walking through a storm of blizzard proportions...the bank called to say your account is short, a loved one is going to be fighting a battle for life, your child is demanding an extra dose of attention.....you know what I mean.

The chill of that storm makes its' way to the bone and stays with you for hours, day or weeks.

Then one day you awake to the sunshine. The clouds have scattered but the frost is still in the air. With the sunshine comes HOPE and the strength to press on. The boss offers an extra hour of overtime...a friend calls to offer love and support....or maybe you are just reminded of a scripture that promises understanding and hope.

Many times it is the touch or maybe just a word from family, friend, or a complete stranger that parts the clouds and allows that first ray of sun. Are YOU a “parter” of the clouds?? When your heart is nudged to contact a friend or speak to that stranger..JUST DO IT! The time it takes will be repaid in the joy renewed and hope restored that a simple gesture of caring can bring. A smile, a word, a hug, a phone call or a card sent are all tools to bring forth the sunshine from behind the clouds!

Listen to your heart and bless and be blessed!!

Dream Big...Pray Earnestly..Walk Strong!

It has been several months since I have taken the time to sit here and share a thought or two. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I hope to get back 'in the groove.'

The calendar pages seem to turn faster and faster each year and here we are in the midst of October again. Fall brings with it a gaggle of celebrations in our home. Birthdays of children, grandchildren and friends give reason for gatherings, fellowship laughter and love! I always find myself feeling blessed beyond measure as I am given opportunity to celebrate the gift of a life filled with such love and health.

Thanksgiving reigns supreme in my heart as we have traversed through 10 months of another year with everyone healthy. In the year 2016 we have seen 5 friends diagnosed with cancer. Two of those are children.:(  My heart aches for each of these families as they make their journey down a path they would never choose.

For the last couple years, Fall also has meant long walks, as I train for the 3Day 60 Mile walk for breast cancer. September would find me in Seattle, WA in the midst of several hundred walkers. This year I am changing it up a bit and will travel to San Diego, CA. in November and join several thousand walkers along the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
 Each mile I walk, whether in training, or on the course, is taken in honor of the names I have gathered,  and the thousands of others who have been called into their own personal battle.
Each year I am required to raise a minimum of $2300 to be a part of the 'big walk'. For my third year that goal, and more, has been given by friends, family and strangers!
 From the $3.00 donation to the $250 donation, EACH ONE is added to the thousands of dollars raised by others to see an END to cancer!!
What a humbling thought that each of my supporters and I can be a small part in such a HUGE goal!!  My word for the year has been "HOPE". My desire is that the miles I walk brings HOPE to others.
It has been shown that the research done on behalf of one cancer will benefit many, so the ultimate dream includes an end to ALL cancer. Dream Big and Pray Earnestly and Walk Strong!! Those are three things I can do!!
Walking has become my passion and has proven to be that means in my life to share Hope with others and brings Joy and Health to mine :)
Have you found your passion??? What is it your life that takes your focus off YOU and puts it on others??? I would love to hear.....
Check out my personal page: www.the3day.org/goto/LauraMoody

Anticipation

The first "picture" that always comes to mind with the word ANTICIPATION was a time when I was about 6 years old and my parents had promised a trip to town. We lived in a very small community and a trip to town meant shopping at the 88 Cent Store (Yep...no Dollar Stores! Does that make me old?). A visit to the auction for my Dad and brother and a bowl of Chinese Noodle Soup with Daddy and Momma.  Daddy had responded to a call and had gone to help a neighbor in need. In my eagerness to be on the road, I set on the back of Mommas red fabric couch, in front of the big 'picture' window watching for the approach of Daddy's car and the promised adventure.

Next comes the time when I found myself several blocks from home after the sun had slipped below the horizon. Shadows danced in the dim light coming from homes and the occasional street light. My mind began recalling all those scary movies I had watched and mysteries I had read and I found myself contemplating the danger behind every bush !

Then came the day in the doctors office when I was diagnosed with breast cancer...She quickly made an appointment with a surgeon. As the day of the appointment neared I anxiously awaited his plan of attack and the detour my life would take in the weeks and months ahead.

Amazing, isn't it how the same word, in different forms, can conjure up such different memories. Bringing with the memories a tear of disappointment,  a tickle of nervousness in the tummy, or a smile at the prospect of adventure.

In 5 days I will embark on the one of the greatest adventures and challenges of my lifetime. I will spend 3 days walking 20 miles each day with an incredible group of men and women.  The community will be bathed in pink and the shared goal of all is to bring Hope and Help to those battling  breast cancer.

My anticipation has taken the form of contemplation with all that lies ahead and what it means to me

and many others. The opportunity to be involved in something that effects so many lives is totally overwhelming. Add to that the fact that for me, every step is a miracle, the excitement and eagerness becomes hard to contain.

In 5 days I will mark the beginning of a challenge I took on 7 months ago. It promises to be a culmination of hard work, over a thousand miles of walking, creating a circle of friends and the humbling honor of representing nearly two hundred cancer victims whose names I will carry with me.

But wait...this looks to be the prelude of more to come! In November of 2014 my niece Pam Smith will join me to once again walk the 60.  So now, I share with her, the anticipation of all this adventure promises in the joy of bringing Hope and Help to others.

What are YOU anticipating???