Running for daddy!

On April 19, 2009, I had the privilege to run a 5K for HopeWell Cancer Support in memory of my daddy, James L. Reese, Jr.  This race meant a lot to me.  It was an emotional run.  It was amazing and inspiring to see people honor their loved ones.  There were moms strolling newborns and people walking with canes...there was even a couple in their late 80s who walked the whole course in memory of their son.  

Some of my dear friends in Baltimore and I who have lost loved ones or who have watched loved ones battle cancer ran together on a team.  Our team name was "For Our Families."  We made T-shirts honoring our loved ones.  Even Little E had a onesie honoring his late granddaddy!

And surprise, surprise...my mom flew up here to Baltimore and surprised me for the race!  She said that she was going to be there to cheer me on as I ran for her husband!  Isn't that awesome. I was happily surprised by her presence.  She was even at the finish line cheering me on like she used to do when I ran track in high school.  Some things never change!  My cousin, Ashley, came up from DC and spent the day with us.  She was gracious enough to be our photographer for the morning. 

Here we are the "For Our Families" Team.  Carmen, Jamie, Shana, and the fabulous Brooke. So, the reality is that we all think that we are fabulous...but Brooke wins the prize.  Anybody who comes to a 5K with their hair recently blown out and their movie star sunglasses wins the diva award in my book!

And where was Emmanuel?  Chilling with his granny on the steps getting ready to listen to all of the speeches.  Someone from my work took this great pic. 

The HopeWell community loves Emmanuel.  Sometimes he comes to work with mommy, so he is truly a part of the HopeWell family.  We had fun walking after the race. 

Another pic of the back of my shirt...

Emmanuel greeting me at the finish line.  I imagined that he said, "Great job, mama!"

This is a classic Carmen picture...big cheesy grin. 

We posed for a family pic before the big race!  Eli was so supportive and excited for me.  He made sure to be at different checkpoints rooting me on.  It was pretty easy to see him with his bright UT-orange hoodie on...that's my husband.  

Thank God my mom came...she ironed the designs on our team T-shirts...

and she pinned on my bib number.  

  
And, yes, that's me...blowing a kiss to the camera.  

So, how did I do.  I placed 6th out of the 90 women in my division.  There were a little over 1,000 runners total.  If I had trained just a little, I think I could have been a little more competitive, but that's ok.  I think that daddy would have been proud anyway.  Correction, he definitely would have been proud.  He always was...no matter what.  

Love you, dad.  

Thanks for everyone who supported me financially and with your prayers.