Inspirations

I thought it was time that I posted. Its been over 2 weeks now. Its not that I haven't had anything to say. Like Diana told Joe, "She's so full of random thoughts, her blog will be a good outlet for her. Josh is probably sick of hearing all of them!" I've had plenty of random thoughts, or as I tend to call them "wonderments". I just haven't blogged them.

I've also been in a much better state of mind the past two weeks. The 2 days off I was so worked up over in the last post were just the medicine and break that I needed. I was also reminded in the past few weeks of 2 people who inspire me beyond the words I can write about them.

Jimmy V. This past week was the annual Jimmy V Foundation fundraising auction on ESPN. Jim Valvano was a basketball coach (Rutgers, North Carolina State. Have you seen the sports highlight where NC State wins the Final Four and the coach can't find anyone to hug? That's Jimmy V). Jimmy V died in 1993 from cancer. He was the inaugural recipient of the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award at the 1993 ESPYs. The speech he gave is one of the greatest of all time. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you're emotions will be moved. In this speech he says, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."

I watch this speech before all of my marathons (www.jimmyv.org). I remind myself with every step, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up." I have been extremely blessed in life with good health (I may have tendonitis, but I am disease free), as have my family and friends. I can't imagine facing something like cancer. I can't imagine how people like Jimmy V reach out and give the world an amazing gift in such a time of anguish. "Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever. " His speech, to me, is greatest of all time. Straight from the heart.

The second person is D.J. Gregory. Many may not know his name. They may have heard of the young man with cerebral palsy who walked the entire PGA Tour in 2008. Every event. Every hole. Thousands of miles. I had the opportunity to meet him in June when he was here walking the US Open qualifier my golf course hosted. I was in the middle of "woe is me. I have tendonitis and I can't run." Really, Kari? Selfish much? This man can't run. At all. But he walks as many miles as you run per year. Perhaps more. With a smile. With thankfulness. I have trouble remembering most days to be thankful. To take an inventory of all that I have and stop focusing on the one or two things I may not have. I have much, much more than I may deserve.

D.J.'s spirit shines so brightly. Please buy his book, "Walking with Friends". (You can find it in the sports section at your local Borders - my favorite store.) He is a wonderful person and couldn't have been any sweeter when I bombarded him with a camera and my oh-so-annoying personality (but at least I recognized him which is more than I can say when I met 2 running icons at the Boston Marathon Expo this year). He gives so much.

There are times I think that I don't have much to give. I don't have any disposable income. I would love to give thousands of dollars to my high school, to youth running groups, to eating disorder treatment programs for those who can't afford it. But until then, I can give in smaller ways. I can smile. I can give a compliment. I can hold a door open or help someone carry a large load of groceries. Its common courtesies. An ear to listen. A shoulder to cry on.

Jimmy V and D.J. are true heroes to me. Every day people who did, and are doing, what they can with what they have. Which is all any of can do.