"dear crystal,
i just wanted to thank you soooo much for being there around mile 18 yesterday. i was in so much pain and having such a hard time and seeing your face and your words of inspiration really helped give me that push to not give up. it was especially meaningful because you were the only person on the whole course who I knew that was cheering for me! (other than my husband at the beginning and end, of course). I know you had two other friends running also, but you didn't have to wait for me, and I want you to know how much I really appreciate it. I might not have made it to the end without you!"wow. honestly, this almost made me cry. For starters, she is right, we were at that mile marker waiting for Esther. We didn't know if Esther had passed us or if she was still on her way. As we waited, we cheered on a lot of people and in the middle of the crowd, here comes Lessa. WOW! I was so relieved to see her! She looked tired and beaten down and I hugged her and told her how proud I was! I had no idea how much seeing me would mean to her. As she walked past me, I felt relieved and then anxious to see Esther! As it turned out, we actually missed Esther crossing the finish line. As soon as we arrived to mile 18, Esther had JUST passed and by the time we realized it was too late. The traffic was too thick and we were too far. We missed her and thirty minutes after she finished Todd was finally able to see her! it was anti-climatic as some would say and that made me sad. However, when I got this message, I knew that we were there for a reason! I knew that us waiting was significant. I am so glad I was able to cheer Lessa on in her moment of weakness. That moment will mean ALOT to me for the rest of my life.
I know what it is like to be down and I know what it is like to have that one person cheer you on! Lately, wedding things have been rather.... tense BUT I know that I have one person cheering me on NO MATTER WHAT and saying "I am here for yoU!"
God is good ALL THE TIME. in a literal running marathon or in life marathon. I am glad God gave me a human example of what it means to always have a friend in Him.
and with that....
I will say goodnight.
xoxo
