While many were celebrating Day of the Dead, I was a spectator at the New York City marathon. Talk about a Day of the Living! The city was buzzing with energy. Crowds gathered often ten people deep along the 26 mile course. I met up with friends who traveled from Minnesota to support our Susie. She was spotted at five points thanks in part to determination of the cheering squad AND the cool technology of the tracking chip in her shoe. Can you imagine? What a cool thing. Her brothers were back home at the computer, texting messages of where she was and we dashed ahead to several mile markers.
I am so proud of her, not only for this accomplishment, but for raising the funds it took to be entered in the marathon as a charity runner for the American Cancer Society in honor of her mom, Liz. Sunday was her offering…..not unlike the Day of the Dead remembrance celebrations that took place around the world. A time to welcome connection with loved ones who are in a better place. Liz was with us, I know it.
At the last mile, while waiting for Susie to run by, we met an awesome group of people. We learned later that many of them had just met. Pressed up against to barricades they were whooping and clapping and shouting out names. I was thinking: sheesh, they sure know alot of people in this race! Then they let me on the secret – they were simply calling out the names on the runner's shirts. Some were markered in, or taped on….Susie said the organizers encouraged them to do it. I'm telling you – it was such a gas to latch onto their purpose, and shout out names with them. Then Susie sprints past us, we cheered her on with our new friends, then we legged it across Central Park toward the finish line to see her there. I will never forget the 20 minutes I stood with strangers, shoulder to shoulder, with loudest of voices, calling out "Come On Rebecca, one more to go!"
(The gentleman who let me slide in to scream for Susie cheered on *Rebecca* as a default name whenever there was a lull in racers with titles….you had to see the face of a real Rebecca who passed by – she had 20 strangers whoop it up for her as she closed in on the last mile!)
Well done Susie! You rocked it! Well done Susie's friend Rhonda! Well done Rebecca! And Seth – I looked for you. Well done to you too! What a great day!
