Ok, so here is the story....

It is early January, I am on vacation, sitting at home. I have a brand new year ahead of me, a new year of challenges? New Year's resolutions? (I never do those). I knew I wanted this year, 2004 to be different somehow. I wanted to push myself to accomplish things I had only dreamed about or put off before. So, in the mail comes a 'Team in Traing' brochure. I read it instead of instantly throwing it out, like the other junk mail.

I am intrigued.

I have never done anything like this before, or even entertained the thought of doing anything like this. A half marathon? 13.1 miles of walking? Raising money?! Oh I could never do that......

I think that is precisely why I decided to do it, because before, I would automatically say no, before even thinking about it. This is the year that I say YES to things! Why not? Because I thought I couldn't? Oh, but I will prove myself wrong this year. I can!

My cousin, Sheila, had struggled with Lymphoma in her senior year of high school. She didn't have a chance to say 'no' to it. It decided for her. However, she said 'yes' to getting through it, and right now, she is in perfect health. She amazed us all with her strength and spirit though her ordeal. If she could do that, then I could do something to help.

I am very lucky, I have never had a disease, and I hope I never will. This is something I can do to celebrate the blessings I have been given and give back something to the world. A world that has given me more than my share of blessings.

Now don't get me wrong, I still hate exercise, and I am lousy at asking people for money, but I have met and exceeded my goal of $1500.00 needed for the walk.

WOW!!!

I guess all of you had said 'YES' too this year!

All I can say is Thank You for believing in me enough to contribute to this cause. Thank you for knowing I could do it! Thank you for making this the year that we all said YES!