Today marks the start of a new tradition for my little family. Matt and I, Preston and Bennett all ran in memory of Mama J in the Spirit of Survival. Now, when I say run, I really mean Matt and Preston ran while Bennett and I ran/walked. Still, the four of us "ran" for Mama J. The reason this is so significant deserves more of an explanation, so I thought I would write about it. Thanks for humoring me as I ramble.
This is a really big deal for me and I want to give glory to God for how far He has brought me in the last 2 years.
Many of my closest friends know how anti I am against anything cancer related, especially breast cancer. October is so hard because it is breast cancer awareness month and I am not especially fond of anything pink. I used to be on the other side of breast cancer awareness. I used to wear pink and buy the fundraising shirts, etc. In fact, two years ago, my friend Shirley, ran in the Spirit of Survival in Honor of my Mom (who was a Survivor at that point) which was so special.
Two years ago, I did believe in certain things. Actually, two years ago, I believed my Mom was a breast cancer survivor... and she was for about a month or so. It never occured to me that other cancer that would spread from the original breast cancer would take her life.
Here's an FYI for those of you who do not know much about my bitterness toward breast cancer, you need to know some history. My Mom was misdiagnosed originally and blown off by a horrible doctor. Once she was actually diagnosed, the cancer had spread (like fingers) all over her literally. Even the Oncologists, yes 2 different oncologists, told her it was pretty much too late for chemo and radiation. From official diagnosis to her untimely death, it was only 11 months. The type of cancer she had was not the kind most survivors walk away from. There is a lot more to say about all this, but that is not what I want to emphasize today. I just wanted you to get a bit of the picture on why I am so anti everything cancer.
Anyway, all of these and many more factors have contributed to my wanting to avoid everything cancer related, even the good causes. It was just too difficult. I would cry when I saw anything pink, so this month is hard.
Today is a new day. When the boys brought home the brochure from school talking about the Spirit of Survival, I actually was not repulsed by the whole thing. That is HUGE. Yay God!
The theme for the Kids Marathon is superheroes, so it was easy to think of a name for us. Mama J's Super Hero Squad. We even made t-shirts. Matt was Captain America, I was Super Girl (there are not a lot of girl supers), Preston was Iron Man and Bennett was the Hulk. On the back of our shirts, we ironed on matching designs.
I am so proud of our little family. I think this is a good tradition to begin even if it is hard, which it is and probably always will be. I have been emotional all day. Actually, I have been emotional all week because of the boys birthdays and will be tomorrow. We are planning some special things to celebrate Mama J tomorrow as well. But, I do like that this is something we can do every year to honor her memory. The boys understand this was all for Mama J and I like that. They even got medals! 
Mama J, you are always in our hearts...
As for me, I just wanted to celebrate this small, but mighty step. I still may not be able to wear pink or celebrate breast cancer awareness in the month of October, but look at me, I am growing. I am Super Shiloh! LOL! That is something... Glory to God!
