Why Do I Walk?

I do a lot of walking.  It's my favorite form of exercise.  I can do it alone and enjoy the quiet, I can push Nora in the stroller and we can chat about our surroundings, or I can walk with Brent or a friend and can carry on a conversation easily while covering several miles.

Spring and fall are the best for walking in Minnesota.  The bugs are tame, the temps are cool, and the colors are beautiful!

This weekend I will be walking for a purpose: to support two causes that are near and dear to my heart.

Tonight, we'll be at the Stay Out of the Sun Run/Walk.  Brent will run the 10k and I'll be walking the 5k with the kids and my cousin Steph.  We started participating in the local fundraiser for Melanoma research three years ago.  It means so much to me to support the cause in honor of my uncle David who lost his battle to malignant melanoma 21 years ago.   I have so many great memories of David, but here are a few of my favorites:

• He was a clown in the local small town parade and I remember how much fun he had with it (and thinking, as a kid, that it was pretty cool having my uncle in the parade:))
• Driving in his old truck around a corner on a gravel road and him telling me I needed to hold the passenger door handle so the door wouldn't swing open...I know I didn't succeed at least once and it flew open.  It terrified me, but he knew I was safe and got a good chuckle out of it:)
• Near the end of his battle, he bought me a bracelet with my name engraved and a Precious Moment jewelry box to keep it it.  I still have them both and I think of David each time I see them.
• He had great curly hair.  He was a farmer and worked through all kinds of heat, humidity, rain, etc and I remember his curls popping out around his baseball hat:)

He was a good man, and we lost him far too young.  

Tomorrow, I'll be at the Strides for Stroke Walk.  Nora and I will be walking the 5k with a few of my coworkers.  I started working in the Mayo Clinic Stroke Center last fall and I work with some amazing doctors, nurses, nurse specialists, etc who provide for the stroke patients who find themselves at Mayo.  My coworkers are passionate about their work and their patients and support many through a difficult time in their lives, both physically and emotionally.  

This quote from the Minnesota Stroke Association site says it well:

The Minnesota Stroke Association annual Strides for Stroke exemplifies the notion of an active stroke community.  Not only does it allow us to honor stroke survivors and walk in solidarity with one another, it also raises stroke awareness and helps fund programs that benefit Minnesotans who live with the effects of stroke.  Strides for Stroke demonstrates that stroke is not an ending.  The hundreds of people walking together for a common cause is a beautiful picture of the power of community and the possibilities it represents - for survivors, their families and the people around them.

I have seen the residual effects of stroke in the lives of friend sand family and on-going support is key to recovery and life after stroke.

In a few weeks, we'll also be at the Go for the Gold Run/Walk.  We've participated in the event for a couple summers, but this year the event is closer to our hearts.  A friend I met while we were both pregnant with our daughters, is facing the horrible reality of cancer in her nearly three year old daughter.  My heart breaks for them and we want to show any support we can during this very difficult journey of treatments, surgeries, hospitalizations, etc.

It's just walking, but I also know that not everyone is blessed with the ability and/or health to walk.  I am honored to walk and financially support these important causes and to honor those currently fighting and those who have gone before.