Running for Lola...

Morning! (well morning my time still)

Since Lola has passed, we have recieved so much support and love from our family and friends. If I could share all the things, cards, and flowers we have received it would take up a couple pages I am sure....still to this day we get cards in the mail. It is amazing how lucky we are to be surrounded with such wonderful people! Lola was really loved and has touched the hearts of so many, it makes me smile! What a great little angel she is....

I wanted to share this story with you from a girl, Leah that I went to high school with. I actually probably have not seen her in maybe 10 years or so...I just think it is amazing and I have shed so many "happy" tears over what she is doing for Lola and maybe what Lola is doing for her....inspiration! Enjoy...

Leah Kaczmarski-Stickels October 16 at 9:44am

For Your Angel...


Kim--My heart breaks for you and JP at this horrific time of loss. I think of you often and the ordeal you are going through--no one should have to experience this..I enjoy (through tears) reading your blogs and I commend you for seeking out ways to heal your soul.

A few years ago I started fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society--a wonderful organization that raises funds for cancer research--they have done some amazing things and have helped prolong the lives of many people I've met through this program, who I now call friends, along with thousands of other cancer patients I only know through our hearts.

This society raises money by training participants for endurance sports--cycling, running or triathlons. I took the triathlon route and have since competed in many races. I've also come back to the group as a mentor and as coach because it is such a worthy cause.

I always have an inspiration for my races. For the first few, my dearest grandpa, who went to heaven years ago after suffering from Lymphoma was my inspiration. When the race gets tough and I feel as if I can't go on, I think of him and the memories we share and I feel a surge of new energy. Similar to other stories I've read on your blog, when I see butterflies flying by me, cruising ahead of me, I believe it's my grandpa, willing me to continue forward.

I completed my second ironman race last November. Two weeks before the event a newly married friend of mine suffered several strokes, underwent multiple brain surgeries and was in a coma for weeks. The doctors suggested his new wife take him off support as they did not see recovering in the future. This guy was in tremendous shape, young, a physican and a endurance sports coach. The reasoning for this brain injury is still not known. He was supposed to race the ironman as well, along with his wife. As he lay in a coma with an uncertain future, he was my inspiration for completing this ironman. Today, Lawrence is improving everyday and can now eat and talk and even stand up and take some steps with assistance. His wife and he just celebrated their one year anniversary!!

I recently signed up for a marathon. Though I've done many long races in the past, I have not been training seriously since last november. I thought signing up would give me a goal to help me get my butt back in gear. I went for my first training run yesterday and my body was feeling it. About halfway through, i wanted to stop and catch my breath--but I thought about Lola and the candle ceremony that was just an hour away and knew I had to keep going to make it back by 7. With you and your babe in my thoughts, I ran the entire course without stopping and I actually felt pretty good.

So I am dedicating my upcoming race in January to you, lola and JP. YOU are my inspiration for this one. I hope that little lola runs with me and watches over me. When times get tough throughout the next few months of training and on race day, I will think of your angel and all you have gone through and I will race on. I usually wear the name of my inspiration somewhere on me or my clothes during the race, so I will have to find a creative way to honor Lola :-)

Keep healing and know there are so many here on earth that love and support you and many angels above, who are in the safest and most perfect place in all the universe.

Take care and love to you,
Leah


She has updated me that "lola is quite a fast runner" and also I bet you are wondering what she will wear during the race....

Hi Kim,

As you know, I am training for and ultimately running my marathon in January in honor of your beautiful family. I usually wear the name of my inspiration on my top or visor, but in this case, I think I found another way to honor Lola that you can hold on to as a keepsake. If you don't mind, I'd like to send the item to you so that you can enjoy it and fill it with positive energy. And then, and I know this is asking a lot, I'd like you to send it back to me so I can wear it for the marathon. After the race I will send it right back to you, as it is meant for you and you'll understand why once you receive it. This way we are all united and will share in the experience.
Thinking of you, JP and Lola during every run,
Leah


Well when we got home from our vacation, a package was waiting for us...
It is a Reunion Heart Necklace- it is beautiful!
It also reads the following:

Since Heaven has become your home
I sometimes feel I'm so alone;
and though we now are far apart
you hold a big piece of my heart

I never knew how much I'd greive
when it was time for you to leave,
or just how much my heart would ache
from that one fragment you would take.

God lets this tender hole remain
reminding me we'll meet again,
and one day all the pain will cease
when he restores this missing piece.

He'll turn to joy my every tear,
and when I wear this necklace near
it will become my simple way
to treasure our Reunion Day.

Lola, Forever in Our Hearts...

I of course, just balled after reading this and recieving such a precious gift...I also am proud of my little girl. Proud that she can help others, guide them, become their guardian angels....

So thanks Leah and thanks Lola!

Here is the website to the marathon she will be running:
http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/