Walking up the stairs and down the hall reminds me that I went 13.1 miles on Sunday.  But Sunday wasn’t so much about a good finish time or a race, as it was about friendship, faith, and finishing.

Mile 0: One of the things that I have always loved about this race is that it supports a cause that directly affects my life.  This year, the Rock CF foundation was able to raise over $77,000 for CF research.  There were over 2,000 runners, and there were 12 runners there with CF.  To see so many people come out and support me and others – it means so much.  I am truly grateful for all of you.  It always seems like a daunting feat when you start: 13.1 miles.  Thirteen point one.  That’s a lot for me.

Mile 1: Dodging potholes on the street, the sun shining in the sky and the ‘beautiful’ Detroit skyline just across the river.

Mile 2:  I looked at one of my friends running with me and asked, “Remind me again why we’re doing this?”  His answer nearly brought me to tears.  “Well, you see, there’s this girl at church.  And she has CF.  And she asked me one day if I would run a half marathon with her and another friend to help raise money to help those people with CF, like her.  And I said yes.  I could make up a better story, but that’s the truth.”   In just those few sentences, my friends reminded me that I was not alone.  I never have been alone in all of this, and God has surrounded me with His people to encourage and uplift me when I need it.

Mile 3: For most of my life, I have hidden my CF, kept it a secret as best I could.  I can’t do that anymore because I’ve realized that God has called me to have a voice.  And yet, after hiding it for so long, seeing signs everywhere and practically being hit in the face with it at this race, it’s still hard.

Mile 4: Sometimes it’s hard to make it through the day, but I’m never making it through alone.  God gives me the strength to get up each morning, and surrounds me with people who make it easier. Thank you.

Mile 5: We were joined by our moral support for a little while, who ran with us for a little bit and brought smiles to our faces.  They also complained about being cold.

Mile 6: The sign that told us we had completed six miles had a sponsor listed beneath it.  I don’t remember the family name, but I do remember the verse.  “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  It’s not surprising to me that many people who battle terminal illnesses are believers.  But it’s always encouraging to hear and see others living out their faith alongside the rest of us.

Mile 7: Over halfway!!!

Mile 8: To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the woman I am today.  You have always been there for me, no matter what and I am so grateful.

Mile 9: To my siblings, I know it hasn’t always been easy to live with a sister who’s sick.  But you have shown me the meaning of family and I am so proud of both of you, and so excited to see where God takes you both.

Mile 10: We were joined again by our moral support for a little bit.  It was so good to have these two friends along!

Mile 11: To the person who knows me better than anyone else, thank you for believing in me.  I am so thankful that you are a part of my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful that God knows what he’s doing.  Thank you!

Mile 12: To all of you reading this, thank you.  Thank you for everything that you have done, said, been…thank you.

Mile 13: I can see the finish line!!!!

Mile 13.1: I crossed the finish line, hand in hand with my two friends who completed it with me.  And on the other side were two people who had been there to support us.  Crossing that finish line was the goal.  It was about all I could handle on Sunday.  But I didn’t cross that finish line by myself.  So many of you have supported me over the years, and I cannot express with words how thankful I am.  You have supported me when I am sick, and when I am well.  You have given your time and resources and love to someone who can never repay you the way she wants to.  Thank you.

To my friends who ran this race with me, thank you.  Your friendship means more than you will ever know.  Thank you for sticking with me for the entire 13.1 miles and making me laugh and reminding me that it is okay to just cross the finish line.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

To my friends who came with me to the race, thank you.  Thank you for bringing smiles to our faces when you found us on the course.  Thank you for your support and your words of encouragement.  Thank you for believing in me and trusting that I could do this, even when I am sick.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

To my friends and family who supported this cause through prayer, money, and encouragement, thank you.  Your support means more to me than I can ever say.  Thank you.

There are no words that I can say to express how thankful I am to all of you.  You mean the world to me.

Today I get another PICC line for IV antibiotics.  And it’s going to be another 13.1 mile (perhaps longer) long haul.  But I know that God will bring me through and that this too will pass.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  I am beyond grateful.