Prayers...

In April, 2010, when Andrew was 2 1/2, a tumor was discovered behind his eye. The tumor was removed, but it was found to be an aggressive cancer. He endured seven months of chemo and six weeks radiation. In December of 2010, the day after his last treatment, he was rushed to the ER with an almost fatal bacterial infection. He survived.

He is now seven-years-old!! I don't visit here much, because during the ordeal, this is where I dumped everything--my rage, my fear, my sadness, my ugly, my hope, my everything. But I want all of you who supported and prayed for us to hear his updates. You helped me survive, and I am deeply thankful. Every once in awhile, I will check in to let you know how he's doing. Please continue to pray that cancer will never return to his body. Thank you.



Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Thumpthump


Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump

9:37

at night.

On the treadmill. 

 My workout clothes have been on all day,

waiting for this moment.

This moment of release and relief.


Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump

I'm not taking it for granted.

This life.

These legs.

This heart.

These lungs.


I can run.

I can breathe.


Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump

Grateful for this day

Where the balls seemed to stay in the air.

Where my loved ones were kept safe.

Where my heart remained in hope.

Where we ate ice cream

and jumped off jungle gyms.


Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump

A day

where a simple quote changed my thinking

about complex things.

Where my one-person philosophy of religion class

spun me

once again in torturous circles

but

I tried to quiet it.

To grab

onto to what I can't see

And can't understand.

To have faith.


Try

to

have

Faith.


Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump

The soothing pounding

The hard-earned sweat slipping

down my cheeks.

Like tears.

I pray.

I pray.

I pray.

Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump Thumpthump.

3.07

miles.

I stop.

For today.

Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump




Simple BPM





23 comments:

  1. Beautiful. Today is a good day to be thankful for all that we have, isn't it?

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  2. nice...like a meditation...its nice to take these times to reflect so we can go forward from here..

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  3. Beautifully written. Now I'm really wondering what that life-changing quote is... could you share it?

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  4. Love this.

    I'm with Koreen - let's hear the quote!

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  5. so glad your day was hopeful and ended with the relief of a hard run. praying for strength for you today as well.

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  6. I find that exercising really allows me to think about things. Beautiful poem!

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  7. Love it! Good for you, for taking time out of your busy day to think, meditate and release.

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  8. "To grab/onto to what I can't see/And can't understand./To have faith./Try/to/have/Faith."
    I feel this so deeply. Often running gives me that time to myself to contemplate, to think about those thoughts that never seem to have enough space or time to be thought.
    Loving your view of the bigger picture through a simple moment.

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  9. 'where a simple quote changed my thinking
    about complex things.'

    I loved all of this and what it is to work our hearts out...and minds...bless you in these days and praying for andrew too!

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  10. In this last year I have found such joy and such challenges through my reading online and off. I love how a simple sentence someone shared can turn lightbulbs on in my head and heart. What gifts!

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  11. Your words are beautiful....hope you have a good night.

    Tiffany

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  12. Well, knowing you stopped by my place, I know you're acquainted with how I feel about exercise! But. I do get how soothing a long walk can be--inside or on the treadmill. Those rhythms do tend to clear the head and make room for God to speak, true?

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  13. You left me speechless...(and thinking). XO

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  14. Try

    to

    have

    Faith.


    oh julie... i love you....

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  15. Sweat streaming like tears -- that accurately and beautifully sums up what it feels like to fight fear and anxiety with your muscles.

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  16. This is real and raw. It makes me want to run with you.

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  17. Andrew looks so brave and big-boyish! I'm glad you had a family fun day.

    PS: Please share the quote...

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  18. I never think of exercise this way. I just think of it as keeping myself just a little bit safer from all the poisons in our food, our lotions, detergents, etc. Thank you...

    And prayers for your son.

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  19. Hard-earned sweat is the best, most healing kind. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, my friend.

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  20. Love it Julie. I think your writing is amazing. It challenges me, you know, to be honest. To question things. To find answers...and it ALMOST makes me want to exercise!

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