Renewal

As you read last week, it was a tough week for me. Although through the amazing outpouring of support I received last week, I know I can make it through this last little part of my deployment. All of you renewed my outlook on humanity. You reset me for the rest of this journey.

First of all I sincerely need to thank all those who donated to the Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for the Afghan women of Free to Run. I had high school cross country friends, college friends, fellow service members (past and present), family members, neighbors, co-workers, and people I don’t even know who gave generously. Social media most certainly helped me reach such a broad audience. This money will be used to purchase gear these women desperately need to make their dreams a reality. If you were considering donating, and have not yet, please do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/afghan-women039s-running

The one of the biggest hurdles Taylor, the US citizen here in Afghanistan who trains the women, faces is her inability to receive mail. I obviously don’t have that problem. So this is why it is so important to raise this money. With the money I can order the gear and have it shipped directly to me. Then I can make sure it gets to the girls. I am honored to be able to help!

The start of last week was awful, but the end of the week renewed me. We were able to host 18 more of the Free to Run Women for an afternoon training run. This time they ranged in age from 14 to mid-thirty. We offered a 5k, 10k, and 21k distance. All the volunteers naturally spread out with all the girls for the various distances and ran with them at their pace. We hosted the 5k and 10k runners for Gatorade and snacks while they waited for the runners who were going for 21k. Some of the volunteers even walked them around and they watched a volleyball game that was underway. The girls loved it. Once again we were able to give them positive interactions with men who also believe in their dreams and want to help them come true. One of the volunteers, Matt Gill, spoke extensively about his family and children and showed them many pictures. These are the moments that go beyond a run and reach to the hearts and minds of the good people of Afghanistan. It also helps the deployed service members here remember why we are here and who we are helping.

: Sunday run group, our volunteers!

This week I also had to say good bye to a women who was many things to me during this deployment. Although good bye is not correct, this is truly a see you later and soon moment. I was honored to serve with and work for the first female US Marine Corps pilot. Although I had no idea what her history was until we had already been working together for over five months. She would say this was her favorite deployment, because she could just do her job and she wasn’t known for her history making efforts. She was more than just my colleague. She was my running partner, confidant, and most importantly she was and is a new life friend. I will miss her dearly, but her leaving brings me one person closer to my departure. This was a moment of sadness and renewal. Sarah and I have already planned to meet up for the Monster Dash Half Marathon in October in Chicago. She lives in Michigan just over the border from Indiana. Chicago makes for a great meeting place! Sarah thank you for being there for me this entire deployment and I can’t wait until we meet again in the civilian world outside of Afghanistan!

: Last run selfie…recreating our first selfie after the half marathon last October….MISS YOU!

I’ve been distracted these last few weeks and I missed a few milestones at home. First and probably the saddest for me was Taylyn turning 3. It was sad for two reasons, I wasn’t there and my baby turned 3! She still had a really special day. They took her to Chuck E. Cheeses for dinner and games. My sister brought my niece Quinn. Another part of this deployment that I will treasure forever is how close my children have gotten with their cousin. My mom watches Quinn every Wednesday so Taylyn gets to play with her at least once a week. They have turned into two little peas in a pod. They drive my mother crazy with their screaming, but they have bonded in a way they never would have had I been home.

: #troubleforlife

When I was home on leave Taylyn would play with an imaginary baby she called her Ceesa. When we were at Disney she would push her imaginary Ceesa around in the stroller. I thought an actual Ceesa doll would be the perfect birthday gift. I found a website that would embroider rag dolls. I wanted Ceesa to be a doll she could take everywhere with her, since the imaginary one went everywhere. I called the morning of her birthday and was able to watch her open the present from me. She was excited and from my understanding Ceesa does go everywhere with her.

: Tay’s Ceesa

Timothy has started spring soccer and is enjoying practice and games. He maybe small, but he’s fast and is certainly the team’s number one scorer. Timyra dove right into the swim team. She’s already had her first meet and it went well. She took first in 2 events and, well last in the other. You can’t win them all and if she hadn’t done two flips turns to turn around in the 100 free the outcome may have been different. Although she loves going to practice and I’m really excited to see where this goes for her. soccer game swim team meet