Why She Walks

 Hey lovelies, I have an amazing guest post for you today.  It is written from one of my very dear bloggy friends Janna.  Janna is such an amazing human being, and I strive every day to have the compassion and dedication she does.  Not only is she the first to send me a card when I'm feeling blue, but she is out there walking miles and miles in support of friends and family who are fighting one of the hardest fights.  Cancer.  I am simply amazed by her.  

Please take a moment and read this, and if you can help at all it would be greatly appreciated. 

♥ ♥ ♥

My name is Janna and I am participating in my 5th Breast Cancer 3-Day in Washington D.C. in 39 days.

When I sit and think about why I walk…I think about this lady.

This is my friend Dawn.  I have know Dawn for nearly 10 years now…all by chance.  She worked at the corporate office for a company I worked for that was located in Illinois. (I am in Texas)  We created a bond so strong that neither distance nor changes in jobs could break up our friendship.

Dawn is a cancer survivor.  A Breast Cancer Survivor.

So is her sister.

And now her mom Pat started her fight on August 15, 2011

“My mom got through Lymph Node surgery today with 4-5 lymph nodes taken out.  It will be Thursday before she gets results.  She will be undergoing Radiation and the rest of the treatment will depend if it has spread into the Lymph Nodes.”

This family has seen their fair share.  MANY families have seen their fair share. 

Breast Cancer knows no bounds…

I walk for Dawn, her sister AND her mother Pat,  Pam (who beat breast cancer and is now fighting a new cancer battle) Elizabeth, LeeAllan, Louise-Paula, Arthanise (who lost her battle this year), Nancy, Dianne, Mary Ellen, Laurie, Delia's Mom, for my new friend Nancy (who was just recently diagnosed) and for any woman who has ever had to or ever will have to go through this horrible disease.

I also walk for my nieces…Sarah, Ashley, Megan & Mallory.  I walk for Amy’s daughter Jules, so that they may never have to deal with this disease. 

I walk for a cure.  I walk for those who can’t.  I walk for those who lost their battles.  I walk for YOU.

In order to walk I must raise $2300.  I have booked my flight and my hotel room.  I am COMMITED to walk for a cure.  

Can you help me with my fundraising goal?  Every little bit helps.

Please visit my Breast Cancer 3-Day Fundraising site:  www.the3day.org/goto/jannagoestodc

Confessions & Tribute

I Confess...
When I woke up yesterday morning, at my usual time of 6:15am, to find it still dark outside my window-I felt sad.  The passing of time seems to affect me more the older I get.  Isn't it funny how we as children want it to go by quickly-but then as adults we wish it'd slow down?

I Confess...
There have been more funerals in the last year than I've been to for most of my life... There are still a few months more too.  What's up with 2011?

I Confess...
I had a harder time at the funeral yesterday than I expected.  When I was told my great grandpa had died I didn't cry.  The first time I cried was sitting in the viewing room waiting for the family prayer, when my mother told me how she'd spent the night at my great grandmother's house, and how great grandma had crawled into bed with her, and then again when I watched  great grandma cry as they closed the casket. It's just heartbreaking, no matter how old he was or how long life went on-she lost her soulmate after 72 years together.

I Confess...
I always knew what a great man my great grandfather was, but never so much as seeing how many people turned out for his funeral.  Each viewing had hundreds of people-and my grandma said there was only one repeat visitor from the night before.  There was so much love for this person who had affected so many lives throughout the last 91 years.

I Confess...
After I finally stopped the crying at the funeral, we made it to the graveside where they did a military service for him.  The minute they played taps I burst into tears again.  He was an amazing human being, and watching the other service man choke on his words as he presented the flag to my grandma was incredibly touching.

I Confess...
I can only aspire to live a life so full of joy as him.  To be married to someone I love until the day I die, to have family surround me, to help people in need, to have tried everything I had the chance to, to travel, and to love as strongly as he did-well that would be a full life.  Especially to get 91 years of it-one can only hope.  I'll miss him like hell.

I Confess...
All my photos are up from Vacation, if you haven't checked them out, go look!

• San Francisco
• Driving the Coast
• Portland
• Seattle

I Confess...
I saved something more upbeat to be my last confession...

I Confess...
I have a date next week for the first time in a year.  It's also the first time in 2 years that I've actually been excited about dating at all.  We've been texting non-stop for 5 days now, and sex hasn't even been brought up really.  I'm so impressed.  He seems so kind-hearted and down to earth.  I am praying that I like him as much in person-and he likes me too.  I need something good coming my way romantically-it's my turn!

Seattle Photodump

Here are the photos from Seattle!

Enjoy :)