A couple of weeks ago, a friend of a friend suddenly died. It was her bachelorette party weekend. The girls had decided to participate in a run. The bridesmaids ran a 5K. The bride ran the half marathon. As she crossed the finish line in her white shirt that sported the word "Bride" across the front and a pretty pink boa, she collapsed. And she was gone.
Her wedding day, set for two weeks from that date, was never to be. The OME concluded a congenital heart defect that generally kills a person suddenly and without warning during childhood. The fact that this girl lived to be 27 was a miracle in itself.
I suppose this hit me for a lot of reasons. The first was the fact that I know one of the bridesmaids who was there and had to live through this absolute nightmare. Also, the reminder that no matter how old we are or how good of shape we are in, we really just never know when our time will come. And then there is the fact that one summer in San Francisco I ran a half marathon and my best girlfriends ran a 5K and cheered me on at the finish line. Similar story....very different ending.
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| SF Marathon - 2011 |
We never know how much time we have left. So today, try to take that to heart. Say what you need to say. Offer forgiveness or tell someone you love them or speak a kind word to a stranger. Do what you've always wanted to do. Sign up for the class, take the risk, book the trip. Make the change that you know is necessary. Step out of your comfort zone, follow your heart, make a leap.
Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Don't wait. Stop over-analyzing. Quit thinking of why it might not work. Forget waiting for the right time. Just go.
And please say a prayer for Kaytie's family, her friends, and her fiance as they try to find their way through this terrible time.
6 comments:
How Scary!! I went through a similar experience my first year out of law school. We had an office relay team at the local marathon -- everyone ran 5 miles and then we met at mile 25 to run the last mile together. But when we met up, our 5th runner had collapsed. And we rushed with him to the hospital. Turns out he had a rare heart defect and the first symptom is often sudden death. Scared me from running for awhile -- luckily my dad is a cardiologist so I have had my heart checked plenty of times. So I got back to running..and ran a half marathon.
I agree! Take chances. enjoy life. Be as safe about it as you can ---but don't let fear hold you back!!!
WOW! I don't even know what to say to this. How heartbreaking! Prayers for her family, friends and fiance'.
Oh my goodness! That is so heartbreaking. Her family & friends are definitely in my thoughts & prayers.
I almost died of a brain aneurysm last December. I know how life is short, how tomorrow is never promised. Great post Tiffany. You are spot on.
Alonzo
This breaks my heart. How terrible!! I am so sorry for your friend, and for her friend's family and fiance. I will be praying my heart out!
This is truly heartbreaking. I don't know Kaytie, but I know several people who do and I have been praying for Cooper, her friends and family. Life is short and so precious. But it's comforting to know that she ran out of this world and right into the arms of her Savior, and that those she left behind have faith that they will see her again one day.
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