Go the Distance

 

“Be yourself no matter what they say…” -Sting

One of my favorite stories, of living with one of my most favorite people, in one of my most favorite places (breath); was living in Brooklyn with Karin Marie and having her one of a kind nature alarm clock serenading us in the background. I never quite knew when I’d walk through the door or be woken up with eyes squinting to the sounds of the great outdoors right above the pizza shop.  Sometimes it wasn’t even used for alarm purposes; just for hang about the apartment purposes. I’d come home and hear birds chirping, ocean waves, and unpredictable howling noises as the buses, beeps and hollerin’ was in full force outside. This just gives you a little glimpse of her serene sweetness. Birds chirping in Brooklyn. Besides catching her dancing in the mirror, pumping herself up with her new green pants (they were in back then :-), the nature clock is always a classic that lights up the memories. I’ve talked about what a gem of a friend she has been through the years. How our roots are similar…Italian/Irish, dad’s Mike, brother’s Kevin, Aunt’s Mary, SLPs, raised Catholic and the list goes on. Her peace, her presence, her grace has always spoken a better word over my life. The shared laughter, love and experiences could never be measured. Absolutely priceless. The first time I met her at PSU she reminded me instantly of my own sister. God knew I needed such a constant presence as hers in my life. And Karin was that girl. So grateful He knows just when, just how, just who to keep us moving forward.  To love radically, to live fully, abundantly, courageously is possible this side of heaven. To know it, to believe it, and to live it and to have those people in our life to encourage us to do so. When I hit my goal weight she sent me “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown. Brene talks about “wholehearted living”.

“We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness, and affection. Love is not something we give or get; it is something that we nurture and grow, a connection that can only be cultivated between two people when it exists within each one of them-we can only love others as much as we love ourselves.” -Brene Brown

I think we can all appreciate those people who have always reminded us of God’s goodness and grace in our life. That we can be so grateful and thankful for their light, love and influence they have had even when we were lacking.  She personified that grace. Building up, encouraging, and cheering every step of the way even way back then. I couldn’t have prayed for a better friend at the most appropriate time. Thank You God, and thank you Karin.

“In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee…in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife…in five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes…how do you measure a year in the life? How about love?” -Seasons of Love

So as I go the greatest distance of my Tri journey thus far, I will be dedicating my upcoming Olympic Distance this Sunday to her. She is the beauty in red. No one wears red quite like her in my opinion. It was like her skin tone was made for red. I was grateful the last few weeks I was learning about Queen Esther and how she reminded me so much of Karin. The one who won the attention of the king with her beauty but in the end it was her inner character; her grace, her obedience, her bravery that kept her choosing life and believing better and paving a way for generations to come. So true of my courageous and beautiful friend. She has always had a style, grace, mystery, purity, decisiveness, dedication, conviction, perseverance and presence about her. As I was fighting my own battle these last several years losing 107 pounds, choosing life and believing better; she was pursuing her God sized dream of having a baby. Now baby Ryan is here and I will be crossing the finish line in honor of her and her dream baby boy. She couldn’t be happier living into this dream and I couldn’t be happier getting to see her dreams come true one believing better day at a time.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm  73:26

She faced challenges, obstacles, disappointments, fought through lies, criticism and judgments but she saw this dream come to pass. She is holding her son in her arms and she is the happiest of campers. I am busting out of the seams awaiting that long drive to Pittsburgh to see her and hold him. And an added bonus I will get to see some other believing better friends who have also spoken love, grace and laughter into my life. To cross the finish line with love and grace represented will be a dream come true for sure.  And to quote Queen Esther…”and if I perish, I perish…” To sing of your love and grace that continues to transform, grow, challenge a girl who weighed 268 pounds, who nearly destroyed herself with destructive thoughts, habits and behaviors is now learning to choose life and believe better; and crossing finishing lines. Getting to see dreams come true.  To live full and tell of it. Wholeheartedly. Grateful to be learning how. I will be fixed and focused and have this image of my dear, happy, gracious, loving and free friend with her baby boy. For my race friends my goals are pretty simple…have fun, not get injured and finish…oh and not perish. And cheers to this beautiful lassie in red who has always had a way about her. Who could win the attention of a thousand kings, but it’s her inner beauty, strength and grace that keeps her one step ahead. I’m grateful that I get to be someone who shared time, space and living quarters, and some of my best days with her. And as we continue on this live full journey…I say…to infinity and beyond!

I hope you don’t hesitate as you step out in faith. That you keep your dreams alive and at the forefront. Going the distance, no matter what. I hope you let love and grace speak a better word over your life as you tell a better and braver story. Why not just go ahead and get your green pants on, your bright red shirt, dance in front of that mirror with the birds chirping and the ocean waves crashing behind you as you are committed to cross whatever finish lines that are before you; with your eyes fixed and your heart full and free. And may it be for your good and for His glory.

“I dream of love as time runs through my hand…”  -Sting