Angels I Have Heard on High

Working in the hotel industry, I come into contact and have the opportunity to work with amazing people/groups. There is always one that leaves a lasting impression. I had the privilege of working with a Minister and his congregation for an International Congress. There is no coincidence that I was assigned this event. I was meant to meet Shane and his wife. After numerous months of phone calls, emails and pre-planning visits, they finally arrived into Jacksonville. Each evening they would worship and I was asked to be a part of their Civic ceremony. I agreed not even knowing what it entailed; the client asked so therefore it wasn't a tough decision. I was told to greet people as they entered the ballroom and I did. I was asked to join them and I did, sitting in the first row. As Shane is preaching and praying the word of God, he starts to speak about me; how I am a blessing to him and this meeting. I am a beautiful soul with a strong testimony. With that, the congregation stands up and applauds me as I am escorted onto the stage. Whoa...back it up. I was never asked to go on stage but there is nothing I can do now-I am standing before hundreds of people. I am given the microphone and the first words out of my mouth are: "Hi y'all." Where did that come from? I swore I would never utter those words and here I am saying it for the first time. I thanked them for choosing the Hyatt and told them the hotel took on a different aura since they arrived. Their generosity and appreciativeness was contagious and it was evident they were genuinely happy to be there. I continued my speech by sharing my cancer journey and the audience erupted in applause and the entire congregation stood, extended their hands and prayed over me. For hundreds of complete strangers to embrace me, regardless of my color or faith, was a moment in time that literally took my breath away and one I will never forget. The next two days, the Congregants came up to me in the halls, hugged me and thanked me for sharing my story, telling me what an inspiration I am and how I touched their lives. I believe I am a walking miracle and that God is ever present in my life. I am truly blessed and after that holy experience, all I can say is "Amen."

River Run 2011

March 12th was the 34th Annual River Run; my second year participating in the 15K. My goal was to beat my time from last year (1:59:55). Having worked sixteen hours the day before the race, I wasn’t sure what shape I would be in. There were an estimated twenty thousand runners and it felt that way up until mile two when the road finally opened up allowing us to reach our stride. It was a glorious, sunny day and despite moments along the route when I was questioning why I was torturing myself, I ran and ran and hit those mile markers knowing it was one down and one closer to the finish line. The exhilaration you feel when you finally see it is beyond words and that moment in time makes those out-of-breath and ready-to-quit moments make it all worth it. My goal was achieved; I crossed in 1:51:28 (a decent pace of 12 minutes per mile). Overall I was 10,597th of 14,922 runners, 4,561st of 7,596 female runners, and 805th place out of 1,234 females in the 30-34 age bracket. Immediately following my running the 9.3 miles, I went to work and put in a full day. What dedication! My client and colleagues were able to see me in my sweaty after-glow and the much deserved medal that dangled around my neck. It was quite a day and a blessing I had the strength to stamina to run that distance despite all my body had gone through. Even my sore muscles were a gift from God and a reminder that I was alive and well.

Happy 2011

There were a few blessings that added some sunshine to an otherwise cloudy 2010: new friendships and a fabulous job. I ended 2010 running in a 5K and crossing the finish line into a new year, hopefully one full of health and happiness. Here are some exciting events that are already showing promise for a great year. March: 15K Gate River Run: STRENGTH June: Celebrating my 35th on a cruise to Bermuda with my amazing family: BLESSING August: Cousin's long-awaited wedding: MIRACULOUS September: 6th Annual John G. Rampolla Golf Outing: HONOR November: Running 26.2 miles at the NYC Marathon alongside my oncologist: EXTRAORDINARY December: Cancer2 submitted to an editor; 1st step towards publication: HOPEFUL Being alive to partake in these events: PRICELESS

2010: A Year in Review

2010 was the start to a new decade; one which was supposed to be full of wonderful surprises and new starts. Instead, it was a year full of extreme highs and lows, and another year I was happy to say goodbye to. It started off with promise but slowly turned into a year full of sadness, heartache, medical scares and a complete change of direction in life. Each of these scenarios were one in which I had no choice but to accept and move on, which was no easy task. Having loved and lost in one ways than one, there are no answers as to why life is so unfair. How do you explain two dear friends, one 28 and one in her 50's, losing their battles to ovarian cancer within four months of each other? Why does a man who professes his love to you and tell you he's going to marry you, end up cheating? Why do you go for a routine check-up and end up going in for an MRI to make sure that there are no "undiscovered" tumors in your already scar-ridden body, once again holding your breath until you get the test results? Why was the economy in such a state that I wasn't able to continue doing what I loved most? Why does the person I truly believe I'm meant to be with live in another state? Why does your football team, who shows promise all season and is a shoe-in for the playoffs, blow it by playing poorly, ending their season too soon? OK, so that isn't a life tragedy but one that just added to my misery! Why weren't my prayers for happiness being heard? What else did I have to do to ensure my happily ever after? I've been told, for the past 5 years, "This is your year; I just know it." Well, 2010 wasn't it, nor were the five years prior. There is always 2011...let's hope this is the year that I can finally proclaim, "You're right!"