Day: October 1, 2011

Run like the wind….

“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

I used to watch runners from a distance and wonder what it felt like to run….

Today I can say I know and I am not sure I understand the love of running….

But in the last two weeks, I have had the opportunity to cheer on and celebrate with Suzi and Andy as they have put their running skills to the race test. Andy completed a ten-mile run downtown GR and Suzi ran the 5k rhythm run today.

I know that both Suzi and Andy committed to training and gave it their all…..

Peter, Isaiah and Johanna have seen their parents commit, begin, train (even when they didn’t feel like it), and celebrate their completion of the race they had set their eyes on. There are just a whole bunch of valuable lessons (and blogs) in those steps.

And so today, I am reminded that I once began the Couch to 5k program. I haven’t finished it because I don’t really love (or even like) running. But I believe that I could really benefit from the process that Suzi and Andy have completed.

This week, I will start running again!

Great job Andy and Suzi!

 

Shattered Dreams….

Tonight I was going to blog about advocacy……

Then I read this article and have chosen instead to ask for your prayers for this young woman who is living through an awful nightmare….

I found that I know people who know her and the families so tragically affected. I can’t quite imagine all tomorrow (and for many days to come) will hold for them. So many people were planning to celebrate a wedding and now funerals are being planned.  And let us continue to pray for the young man who was driving the car.  I can’t quite imagine all he must feel either.

Today has been a day of perspective. Advocacy often reminds me of all I am blessed with and very aware that life can change for any of us in a moment’s time and each breath is a gift.  Won’t you join me in praying for those who are living in the valley or grief and loss or illness

Groom, brother-in-law picked up wedding tuxedos before fatal crash in Holland

Published: Friday, September 30, 2011, 1:20 PM     Updated: Friday, September 30, 2011, 1:38 PM
Samantha Stille Chad Bradbury engagement photo.jpg
Mark Copier | The Grand Rapids Press

HOLLAND — With his wedding two days away, Chad Bradbury had just picked up his wedding tuxedo on Thursday and was heading to dinner with friends when he and his future brother-in-law, brides brother, died in a crash near Holland, a family friend said.

Instead of celebrating a wedding on Saturday, the grieving bride and two families are now preparing for funerals, the friend said.

Bradbury, 24, was marrying Samantha Stille, whose brother, Michael, 22, also was killed in the crash. All three are from Holland.

“How can you sit here two nights before they’re supposed to get married, you’re celebrating, so happy. The day’s finally here, and you have to bury them? I don’t know,” said the woman, whom Bradbury’s parents asked to speak on their behalf.

The woman said she’s known the Bradbury family since Chad was a toddler. She didn’t want to disclose her name.

The SUV the men were riding in hit a ditch and flew through the air before landing against a house in Graafschap at 6:45 p.m.

The car was driven by Jeffrey Hinds, 25, formerly of Holland and currently living in Wisconsin. He was injured in the crash, which is still under investigation by police.