THANK YOU's - long, but important!

People are really and truly amazing. What a gift it has been to see people shine like I have as they've helped me achieve this goal. I have to mention a couple...

My kids - Jackie and Dylan. They just plain rock the house. They support me every day - when i'm happy, when i'm sad, when i'm sore, when i feel like running and when I don't. They make life worthwhile and I'm SO proud of them and so happy that they will get to join me at the finish line.

My mom. I realized that I missed the opportunity on Mother's Day to brag about her. She is truly amazing. She is glue. She quietly goes about keeping our family functioning - holding it together. She does what needs to be done. She has been such a rock to all of us kids...everything that has happened in our lives she has been there to wipe the tears and share the joy. She has some health things of her own, yet she carries her burdens quietly without a complaint, ever. She gives and gives and gives and I am so incredibly lucky to have her in my life and to have had her as a mentor and a friend. SHE will be at the finish line too, and I'll probably be bawling with emotion and joy as she gives me that hug, the one that only mom's can give.

I've talked about my brother before. He's my inspiration. When I think about how long he was sick before he was diagnosed, and how much he suffered even as a kid...it breaks my heart. He is such a fine, strong, wonderful man and I pray that he can find the peace that i have with this disease. I am infinitely proud of him. His daily journey is so hard...especially now when the surgery is past enough that people start wondering why he isn't back to normal. It's not that easy, I know. It's SO hard... Kody, hang in there...literally one step at a time and before you know it, you'll be looking at the finish line of a half marathon. YOU. You will beat this thing!!! And it's because of you, that I am very confident that even if Dylan DOES have Crohn's, he won't have to be as sick, because we've learned so much from your experience. He won't have 25 years of scarring to contend with, and he'll learn a lot more about taking care of himself early than he would have otherwise. It isn't fair, but if you need something to hang on too, hang on to that... because of you, Dylan is getting help really, really early. He is learning how to be healthy, learning things that are good for everyone, but especially someone with a genetic make-up that is disposed to IBD. With everything in me, I believe that you have saved him from a lot of emotional and physical pain. I'm just so, so sorry for all that you have gone through.

My sisters...i hate to lump them together because they are distinctly different people, with unique and special gifts, but this post is already getting really long! Suzanne and Julianne have BOTH been there for me through the darkest times and the best of times. I wish they could be at the finish line, too...but there will be more opportunities, I'm not stopping here!!

I already talked about my dad on father's day, but it bears repeating that he is THE best dad in the world!!! His birthday is Saturday, July 12th and I hope it is a great day. He really knows the right things to say to me...to support me and push me at the same time.

I won't go into every single other person, but there are many, and some day I WILL go into all of them, just so that I'm sure to never forget.

I want to just thank one more person right now and that is Brennan Schram. He's my daughter's friend, and my friend. One day he made signs to post along the route I run just so I know how far I've been and far I have to go. He did this on his own and it mattered so much. He's ridden his bike with me and Jackie while I run. He always has a kind word of encouragement and yesterday for my birthday, he donated some of his OWN money to my cause. He's a pretty special kid and deserves recognition. THANK YOU, Brennan.