So, just yesterday (after our usual Sunday group run) Flo and I decide to go to breakfast. This is typical for us, we go run and immediately head to a very filling and fattening breakfast of some kind of pancakes or french toast. However, yesterday Flo and I were in serious debate over eating out for breakfast because lately both our pocket books need a little rest. haha! We are both trying to save money and figured we might actually forego the breakfast for once. But then again, who are we kidding!?!?!Nice idea, but didn't actually happen. Right after our run, as we are driving home Flo suddenly turns to me and goes, "Um....maybe I do want breakfast after all!" haha! We both laugh and decide to head to one of our old standbys Amendine Cafe on Wilshire. They have fantastic french toast that I CRAVE!!!!
Anywhoo, so as we are sitting there enjoying our meal we notice a very cute family out front. We took notice right away because of the cute little boy (maybe 3 years old or so). Looking back I realize Flo and I were probably starring, but we couldn't help looking at this cute little boy. Anyway, one of the ladies walks over to Flo and I and immediately asks, "So, when is your race with Team in Training?"
I think both Flo and I were surprised at first that she knew of Team in Training, but then again, a lot of people do! We got to talking and told her about our race in October and the training we've been going through and what a great organization it is. We told her how many wonderful people we've met through this and what it's been like to be part of this team.
This woman then went ahead and told us how her friend passed away recently from Leukemia and how she had been researching something to do. She wanted to help in some way. She wrote down her email address and asked us to send her our link because she really wanted to support both of us in our race! Flo and I found that completely amazing! We were so stunned and felt so grateful that this woman would approach us out of the blue, tell us her story, and offer to help.
After we left the breakfast place Flo and I couldn't stop talking about what a great encounter that was. And how, had we decided not to go to breakfast that morning, we never would have run into that woman. Just that morning Flo and I were starting to feel a little discouraged about raising the funds for our race. We've both felt that we've talked to most of our immediate circle of family/friends/co-workers/etc. and have hit that wall with contributions. Both of us have agreed to take on the financial responsibility of committing to raising $3200 for LLS and sometimes that can be a stressful situation. Often, when training for something like this you wind up focusing so heavily on getting that money that you often loose sight of the cause and the greater good of what you are doing. Meeting this woman yesterday and seeing how Leukemia has personally affected her life, and hearing how she wanted to help us, gave both Flo and I a sense of renewed purpose in what we are doing. We feel honored to be running in place of many of those who cannot.
Needless to say, Sunday brought us both a wonderful surprise when we would least have expected it. We were grateful for the timing of it all and how it reminded us of what a wonderful thing we are taking part in and our contribution to changing many peoples lives in different ways.
THANK YOU!!!!
