My Daddy, Larry Robert Johnson, aka Fred!

Never will I forget where I was on July 27,1994 at 4:00pm. We knew his time was short when he was diagnosed with a brain stem tumor some 16 months earlier and as I sat beside his bed that afternoon, I watched for him to take his last breath. Many things kept going around in my mind...I wished I could ride in that green truck one more time, I wished I could hear him call me "Buzzard Bait" one more time, I wished I could watch him swim the entire length of the pool holding his breath one more time, I wished we could play with the bouncy balls in the house one more time, I wished I could have one of his awesome meals one more time, I wished I could see him eat a can of sardines one more time, and I wished he wouldn't die that day. 56 years old is too soon to be gone! As I held his hand, he took his last breath and I knew he was at peace in Heaven and not in pain. I was the one feeling pain and sorrow. Many say I look most like my dad and am built like him with a short, stocky frame. He taught me so many things, he was the strongest man I knew and could do just about anything. I learned how to work hard and persevere in the face of defeat and I learned how hard he was willing to fight as I watched him over those 16 months during his illness. To those reading this who still have their parents I encourage you to call them or go see them as much as you can! We don't know what tomorrow brings... To my Daddy-aka Fred-you are greatly missed and I love you and think of you every single day! I know MamaWassie was so happy to see you and Uncle Charlie again!

Disneyland on the horizon

Base building has been my focus over the last few weeks and it is going very well! My foot has been doing great and my fitness classes are helping me get stronger. The Disneyland half is Labor Day weekend and I am ready to go! Not only do I get to run in California but we are also planning to go to Del Mar for a horse race and take the Dearly Departed Helter Skelter tour! So excited! Sometimes I get sad though, because as I write this, I only have 5 more full days left at the only job I've ever known. Though I will be moving to my second career and doing something I love, aka running...I will miss Wake Christian Academy. It has been my rock these past 21 years and I am thankful for my time there. Okay, back to running...I'm currently coaching a former student with my 4 week jump start program. He is very motivated to improve his running and I can't wait to see his progress! If you are wanting to begin a running routine, let me know and I can help you get started safely. That's all for now!

Run Happy and follow your dreams! You never know what tomorrow holds.