Sometimes we all need a smack in the face, a reminder of why we do the work we do. In life, work and our personal lives. It can be easy to lose sight of things in everyday life. But reminders serve to give us purpose in life, in all of those areas.
We just wrapped up a big week of Heart Association events. One of my favorite and personal big events was Home Runs For Heart. The mission piece we highlighted was the story of one of my good friends, Derek Fitzgerald. I've heard his story so many times, but it still chokes me up. Last weekend Derek asked me to join him on an organized bike ride as part of his TNT and IM training, and we shared a long 67 fun-filled miles together. And last night Fox aired a piece on Derek they filmed just after HRFH. Of course almost made me cry. And watching it today was just the reminder I needed as to why I work for the AHA, why I got into non-profit. This is why I worked at LLS. Fundraising has always been a passion of mine since grade school when I got involved with MS. While not easy, it is extremely fulfilling to be reminded that work I do is raising life-saving money to fund research and education efforts. And during the craziness of the past weeks, I needed a big reminder of this.
Also recently my family received the extremely sad news that my Dad's cousin, my Uncle Willie, has terminal cancer. Uncle Willie was like a brother to my Dad growing up, and as they had us kids they just grew apart as their lives became busier and busier. Two weeks ago we got the news as my parents drove back from Golden. It was found very late, lung cancer, that has metatisised to so many places and now his brain. This has been a wake-up call to my parents and the family. Life's too short. Now, my parents are making up for lost time with Uncle Willie, and helping him to make the most of his time left by crossing off a few bucket list items. Cancer freaking sucks. And this is the wake-up call (that I didn't necessarily need a reminder for) that cancer, like heart disease, doesn't discriminate for them. But reminded me of my purpose. Also a reminder that we need to do more to fight these terrible diseases. That my work is never done.
The non-profit life has defined so much of the person I became in my 20's. I've met amazing people, who have forever changed me for the better. They are constant reminders of purpose for my life. And sometimes it's good to be reminded of the people who impacted your life.
These are two examples of why I started training for triathlon. To honor and remember survivors and those who have lost their battles to illness. So on those tough days, I'll be sure to dig a little deeper this season for Derek, Uncle Willie, my Dad, Granddad, Pop-Pop, Aunt Stella, Mrs. Remley, Mrs. Massimini, Mr. Mestichelli, Mr. Donovan, Aunt Sandy, Curt, David, Steve, and the so many other people I can and will think of.
Remember your purpose and use it to find extra strength when you need it. A wise woman told me this was a great reminder of why we train just a couple weeks ago, and I guess I just needed my own personal reminders of my own purpose to embrace it (thanks).
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