Today is the first day for this and my first attempt at journaling my journey.

One year ago today was a day of highs and lows. On August 2nd 2005 I began my new job working for a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in North Carolina. Later on the day when I would return home I would find out that my 13 year old sister was diagnosed with Leukemia. This was just going to be another stumbling block for Elora on her Journey through life. See Elora was hit by a car when she was almost 2 years old in 1997. Through her life Elora didn't let anything stop her from achieving what she wanted. If she wanted to be in choir she was in the choir. (although she was always off beat and rhythm she was doing it), if she wanted to complete a 5k when people didn't think she could complete 1 mile, she did. She didn't let her difficulties hold her back, if she wanted to beat you at cards... She did and she did this often. Anyway, As you are probably figuring out Elora passed away on the morning of April 29th, 2006. She passed away in a way that I want to pass away if I have a choice. Surrounded by people that loved her, and asleep.

During Elora's Funeral on May 2, 2006 I decided to do something that I never thought I would ever attempt to do... Run a Marathon. All 26.2 miles of it. If Elora could run a 5k I could run a Marathon. The last time I really ran was in 10th grade when I completed 3 miles. That was in 1995. It is now 2006 and I was overweight and out of shape. But soon after the funeral I purchased a pair of New Balance 875 shoes and had a book Marathon running for Non Runners. That really explains me. I am now in week 3 of my marathon training and I'm going to use this as my journal of my journey. Hopefully you will be able to go along the ride with me and help keep me motivated. Oh yeah, I'm running the Marine Corps Marathon with my girlfriend (this will be her fourth or fifth marathon) it will be on October 29th, 2006 in Washington DC. If you live there hopefully you'll cheer for me.

so it's now 7:20 in North Carolina today it was over 103 degrees... and I'm going to go run, do I want to go out and run, well it's hot and it's humid, but I need to run. I need to make sure that when I'm running for Elora I'm giving her my best and I'm able to stop and say Hi to everybody that passes me. Oh yeah, during the 5k's that Elora ran she started an hour before everybody else, and finished an hour after everybody, but she always, cheered on everybody! Thats my goal, to complete the race and also finish it with a smile on my face and Elora's spirit shining bright!!!!