It really does just keep getting better!!

It was on a whim that I replied to an email from Komen/New Balance asking why I walk and who I walk in honor of.  It's not something I would typically stop to do; but that day I did.  That email led to another asking for a phone interview to be considered for a short film featuring New Balance and Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure.  Sherri, my beautiful friend and our team captain also replied to the email and was selected to be interviewed as well.  The folks at the advertising agency soon realized our seperate submissions unknowingly told an entire story - a story about each other and about our team - The Tough Warrior Princesses. 

 

We made it to the final selection process with New Balance and their advertising team and this week Sherri and I went in for on camera interviews.  It was a bit scary,as we were interviewed by two gentlemen as the camera rolled and the mic's were on.  Behind a curtain sat a bunch of other ad executives watching us on a TV and taking notes.  Sherri and I seemed to fall into a groove and forget the camera as we started talking about each of our teammates and the reasons that we walk as well as what has been involved with fundraising and training. 

 

We have just learned that we have been selected to be featured in an upcoming New Balance and Komen 3-Day short film!  They will follow our training, will come to our team pool party and will follow us on the 3 days of the walk. We will be  getting outfitted in New Balance from head to toe!

 

We are all so excited for the opportunity to make a difference and hopefully to inspire other women as to what you can accomplish with a goal in mind and friends by your side.  We are 10 women and each one of us has a unique story and unique talents, but when you put us all together as a team, we become so much more powerful and interesting.  This team has become a very close group.  We have raised a lot of money and we have had a lot of fun together.  We have raised awareness and all have a very special reason for walking.  I think we have done a good job at bringing community together and inspiring others.

 

This journey and my walk is in honor of the most beautiful woman I ever knew - Beverly Ann Woodsom.  My Mom.  I know she would be proud to see what we have accomplished and will continue to accomplish!  Breast cancer affects and takes the lives of so many women.  Breast cancer has shattered my world - losing a mother and fighting the disease myself- and at the same time built me as the person I am today.  More faithful, stonger and hopefully making a difference so that my daughters won't have to face the same things.

Quick Fundraising Update - We had our Flatbread fundraiser this week and it was spectacular!  It was a steamy hot, and I mean HOT, evening and the turnout was awesome.  It was so great to see so many Amesbury friends and others get out to support the cause and eat some great pizza.  Thanks to Flatbread for giving us the opportunity! 

 

I have reached my personal goal of raising $10,000!!! I could not have done it without each and every one of you - my beautiful friends and family.  I am so blessed to have this support.  My team now has surpassed it's goal of $40,000 total and we are still going!  

 

I often say I am happier and more grounded and a better person now, since my diagnosis and since Katie's Juvenile Diabetes diagnosis, and I think people don't always understand how that could be possible.  I think I just focus more now on the blessings in my life and what each person in my life brings to it and the gift of every single day.  To put it into focus, my friend, Brian Dahn, is currently on a mission trip with a group at his church to Haiti.  It is so amazing to me the way people can step outside of themselves and help others.  Seeing his blog and knowing what those people in Haiti are living like and facing every day is just stunning.  (http://oslc2010haiti.blogspot.com/)  Makes me want to be a better person.

To borrow a phrase from a song and my friend, Danielle, GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD!