So, I have been a little apprehensive about starting this blog before the Komen 3 Day even begins on Oct 21. The idea behind its creation arose when I started brainstorming about ways to help all of my “sponsors” be a part of the walk, too. I truly appreciate their pledge dollars, but I don’t want their involvement or participation to end with just the signing of their checks. I want them to experience the walk, too. Hence: a blog of the event would be a great way to keep them updated of our team progress, as well as post pictures & stories of folks I meet along the way. Signing up, training & fundraising for this monumental event has already changed me in ways I never imagined (Have you seen how much money I’ve raised?! I’m completely humbled by the outpouring of love, support & generosity.) But, I fully anticipate returning home from Atlanta, with 60 miles added to my pedometer, a transformed woman. I know this experience is going to remain with me forever. I want all of the bighearted family & friends who’ve sponsored me to be changed, for the better, too.
Back to my anxiety. Clearly I’m going to have lots to report on from Atlanta; however, today I am fretful because I don’t know what you might want to know or hear about from me. I’m so doggone normal it’s comical to ponder what topics to update you on:
* The fact that I found Becker in my bathroom this morning, up to his elbows in my Aveda hair product, rubbing generous amounts of it into his curly locks? (By the time we left for school his hair was so stiff you could easily bounce a quarter on it)
* Or would you rather hear about me finding Kelly, just moments later, sitting in my office chair, holding an empty beer can (Go Green! The Crimmins Clan does recycle!) in one hand & slapping the keys on my laptop (surely he has NOT seen me doing this before, right?) with the other?!
* Oh, no, surely you’d like to know more about the toy train I found in Nolan’s pocket when we returned home from Church on Sunday. Nope, it wasn’t one of his. Yep, it was from the church nursery. So, basically my kid STOLE FROM GOD!!!
This is what an hour in my life looks like on any given day. I’m not sure how long I can keep your attention. Yes, my name is Kim. But Kardashian does not follow. No TV producers are knocking down my door for a reality show.
Then, the “sign” I needed came this morning on my drive to work. Through my Volkswagen stereo speakers, after many punches of the seek button, one Miss Christina Aguilera spoke to me (really, she sang, but you get the point). “You Are Beautiful In Every Single Way, Words Can’t Bring You Down!” <insert laughter> I can do this. I don’t need to be perfect. I don’t need to be eloquent. I don’t need to be profound. I just need to be me. Going through something significant in my life that I’d like to share. Because normal people like me change the world every day. (I can’t take credit for changing the world, but since the world has changed me…I might as well give back). And, I’m going to start by remaining committed to this cause that’s so near & dear to me. And by bringing light & laughter & inspiration in ways that I find touching. And I’ll start right here, on these pages with these words & with you.
I promise to do my best to make this fun. Life’s too short not to spend a lot of it laughing.
Take this journey with me.
”One regret, dear world, that I am determined NOT to have when I am lying on my deathbed is that I did not kiss you enough.” – Hafiz of Persia
Xoxo,
Kim
P.S. – if you don’t think normal people can change the world or that what you do on any given day makes a difference, please reconsider:
Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.
He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"
The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.
To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."
Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"
At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
