Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! Also, thanks to everyone that entered my birthday giveaway. The winner is: Marcia Kadens.
This week’s Tuesday Topic: Tell us why you’re thankful for running? You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!
Thanksgiving is around the corner. I am not one to “just” be thankful on that day. I like to be thankful every single day for everything that I have. After my mom’s stroke in March, I am even more thankful for so many things.
√ I am thankful that it was a mild stroke. She was in 3 different places (hospital and rehab) and came home on May 5th.
√ I am thankful that she is comes home with me on the weekends (she lives with my younger sister) and we get to watch TV and spend time together.
√ I am thankful for the stories she tells me of when she lived in Mexico. Life wasn’t easy but she did the best she could. My dad was living in the US and my mom was in Mexico. There were times in which she was here working while the kids were in Mexico being taken care of by family members or a neighbor.
√ I am thankful for the sacrifices she and my dad made to give us a better life. We emigrated to Chicago in 1978. I was 5 years old and I still remember that day. It was July 4th and I remember seeing the Sears Tower.
√ I am thankful she didn’t give up after my dad died. At 47 years old she became a widow with 7 kids. I am 47 years old. I put myself in her shoes and I haven’t done 1/4 of the stuff she had already done when she was 47.
I know I went a little off topic so now let me talk about why I am thankful for running. 🙂 Running is my ME time. Running helps me cope with the challenges life brings me. Things are so much better with my mother, but still it is tough being an adult. Haha, I think we can all relate to that. Work stresses me out and I am constantly looking for ways to help my students. While I run I am in my zone, staring ahead while listening to music. Sometimes I think about the different things that need to be done once I get to work.
And last but not least, I am thankful for this blog, this linkup and ALL OF YOU. I love the support and encouragement I get from my virtual friends. Some of you I’ve met and if I haven’t, I hope I get to meet you soon. With each post I get inspired and I smile. We never judge. It makes me happy to read and see how we lift and encourage one another whether it is from dealing with an injury or from being nervous with running a marathon or another race. I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!
So much to be thankful for. Your mom really sacrificed a lot to make a good life for you and your siblings. It’s so nice that you are there for her now! Happy Thanksgiving, Zenaida!
Thanks, Wendy! Yes, she did. The past couple of years is when I’ve been finding out more and more about what my mom did for all of us. 🙂
Yes, there’s so much we all have to be thankful for, everyday. What an inspiration your mom is! How awesome you came to the US on Independence Day 😉 Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Thanks, Kim! The 4th of July definitely means so much more to us.
Your mom is truly an inspiring woman!
Happy Thanksgiving Zenaida!
Thanks, Michelle!
Haha, you are right, sometimes it’s tough being an adult!
So nice that you can give a little back to your mum when she comes and stays with you at the weekends. I bet you enjoy your times together. Is she healthy enough to go out on short walks with you?
And yes, the running community is awesome!
Thanks, Catrina! No, she doesn’t go on walks with me. She does walk when we go to the store and has a shopping cart for support. She is afraid to trip and fall. I don’t blame her as I am afraid of that too.
It’s true that running is “me” time, but I also think of it as a way to honor my loved ones. What a tribute to your mom’s sacrifices that you’re running a half marathon in every state!
Running has so many different meanings to everyone. I love that we can still come together and have a good time whether it is a race or a fun run.
You are very lucky to have your mom part of your life.
I am thankful also for my blog as it introduced me personally and virtually to such inspiring women.
It is wonderful!
Wow, you’re mother is amazing! I didn’t realize you came from such a large family. She reminds me a bit of my grandmother, who thankfully wasn’t widowed that young, but she did emigrate from Russia (with a stop in London for a while) when she was just a teenager. By herself! Can you imagine?
So many amazing things the women in our family have done! Oh, and I am the 2nd youngest in my family. 🙂
Yes, so much to be thankful for! Your mom sounds absolutely amazing – she is one strong woman!
Yes she is! Thanks!!
Wow! Your mom sounds like an incredibly strong and resilient woman! Thank you for sharing stories with us!
Thank you for reading! 🙂
so much to be thankful for! Have a very happy Thanksgiving Zenaida
Thanks, Deborah. I hope you had a great one too.
Happy birthday and so much love to you. Your mom sounds like an amazing woman and she is lucky to have an awesome daughter (and other children) like you. It’s always good to remember what we are grateful for, even in the hard times. <3
Thank you. She is pretty amazing. Growing up I didn’t have a great relationship with her but it is never too late to form a bond with her.