I Did It...My 13.1

 Hey y'all...I'm alive and well.

I know it's been a long time since I blogged but I have been busy hustling and bustling about.  The pain I have lived with for so very long is all but gone and it has left me feeling young and active again. I've been running, cleaning, making home made makeup products and keeping up with my other daily activities; all of this with little to no pain.  Hurray! 


Okay, okay I'll get on with my 13.1 journey...

My race was on a Sunday so Saturday evening I collected and readied all my running necessities so that kept me busy...for like 15 minutes.  I wasn't really all that nervous because I knew I had trained well (except for those 4 weeks I took off at the tail end of training due to pain) and I could just believe that I had done enough.  I rested Saturday night and had a good visit with my mom and family then went to bed early to ensure a good nights rest. 

I had to wake up way to early.  It was still very dark when I arrived at the Fair Grounds to take my seat on one of the many buses lined up waiting to take us all to the start line 2 towns away. After arriving I made my way over to the port-a-potties and didn't even have to wait in line.  Then I headed over to the food and coffee table to partake of one strong cup of coffee and a banana piece.  While I was waiting for the start of the race I met some lovely young (they were all in their 20's) ladies who welcomed me into their group and chatted me up.  None of us raced together but I finished ahead of some of them. 

 

Honestly this was an easy and well organized race.  There were volunteers all along the way as well as tables with water, pretzels, gummy bears at miles 2,4,6 and 8.  At mile 11 there was the table of temptation with doughnut holes, beer and wine...I did take a doughnut hole but not the alcohol...I prefer O.J. and vodka.  After downing the yummy doughnut hole I felt reinvigorated and made good time to the finish line in 2:31.  My whole family was there at the finish to cheer me on as I received my finishers medal.  

To be very candid I did better than I thought I would.  I made sure to drink my Gatorade concoction along the way and eat my lara bar for energy.  I took some gummy bears from a sweet little volunteer at mile 8.  All along the way volunteers were stationed and they would cheer you on as you passed by clapping and yelling out "You can do it" as well as dancing and just having fun.  It really did make a huge difference to me because at some of those miles I was tired and needed a little encouragement to keep going.  Luckily I did not have too much pain. 

When I was finished and had some water and a muffin I realized just how much I had accomplished and it felt amazing.  My legs were hurting extremely bad due to my sciatica but after my son drove me home they felt 90% better.  My husband took the whole family out to breakfast to celebrate and I ordered hot chocolate with whipped cream to drink and fish and chips to eat.  I enjoyed every bite of my meal and didn't even care how many calories was in it.

I would definitely run another 13.1...someday, but not any time soon.  It's nice to just enjoy running and not have a race looming ahead in the distance...for now!  The last few weeks have been spent running by time, not miles and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment.  

In other news...

My oldest son G moved out yesterday to begin his new life with his girlfriend in Klamath Falls.  He arrived safely and is happy to be reunited with his love.  He has an interview for a job tomorrow and another possible job working for one of the vendors from our store here in Grants Pass.  I know that he will do great on his own, I have faith in him. 

I may have finally found my new church family and I'm excited to meet new people and form some new relationships with a home group.  This has been on my mind ever since I left my old home group about 3 years ago.  I have been to two different churches but neither one suited me.  This church I found a week before my half marathon and they made me feel welcome the minute I walked in and sat down.  I missed the Sunday of my race and last week as well but managed to get there today for the traditional service.  I was the only one under 45...everyone there had to have been at least 65-75 but I loved it.  It was like being in a room full of grandparents.  What could be better than that?

Anyhoodles, I am sorry I've neglected my blog but life has been busy for me.  Now that the kids are back in school and I'm working Monday thru Thursday fixing lunch for the high school kids that come into our small store, I have to fit my running and cleaning into the days hours and unfortunately my blog has suffered.  I hope that y'all are doing well and are healthy and happy.  

Anyone race lately and want to tell me all about it?  The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The Lord look upon you with His everlasting favor and give you peace.  

Blessings and hugs,

 "Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

I'm Doing It...13.1 Here I Come

It's final...I'm running my half marathon next Sunday! How, you ask? Well let me tell you...

About two weeks ago I started to really stretch and roll my muscles in hopes of getting some sort of relief...and, it worked!  I have been running, working out, stretching, rolling etc and I'm amazed at the difference.  It really is a miracle, a total surprise to me.  I have had little pain in two weeks, except for one day...it has been wonderful.

So I decided since the pain is soooo much better, I'm going for it.  I will never be fast or place in my age group (most likely) but that is not why I run, I do it because I can.  I'm alive and I can run, so I do. I'm a survivor and I'm gonna keep on surviving.  

I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I was going to miss my half...again, for the second year in a row. Now I'm on my last week of running and gearing up for the big day! Can you believe it?  Me either!  

Remember awhile ago I mentioned I was being interviewed by Live Fitter blog....well It came out September 11th.  Here is the interview, I hope you enjoy it.  The pictures are not the best but they were all I had.  

The kids have all started back to school and I could not be happier.  It is so nice to get some quiet time to myself for a change.  My youngest son (not my youngest child) is working part time and has 3 AP classes, so he is one busy dude.  My oldest son (also oldest child) is moving to Klamath Falls at the end of this month...I love him but glad he is going off to find his future, I hope he is successful in all he does. My daughter just started 7th grade and is loving it, she gets to be an office aide for her 1st elective so she is pretty excited about that, and my middle child who is my second oldest son is in his last year of high school so it's a bittersweet year for him...and his father and I.  He will be going into the military after he graduates as they will help him get into college and become a mechanical engineer...he wants to build/design bridges and stuff like that. So there you have it.

Some pictures I took recently...

 
That is what I have been up too...how about y'all?

Anyone have a race they wanna tell me about? I love to hear what y'all have been up to, so drop me a line. 

Blessings and hugs!

 



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

© 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Blooming Where I'm Planted?

Warning...this post is about life, struggle and God...it's long but I think it's worth reading, it was certainly worth writing! 

I am often so absorbed by training for this half marathon that I forget to stop and attend my spiritual health.  I have this longing to accomplish this race, not because I want people to say, wow what a great thing...it's more like I have to do this to prove to myself, my body and my spirit...that I can do it! Does that make any sense to you?  

I was talking to one of my very best friends about my spiritual health just the other day and it was about this very subject.  Feeling like I'm not doing anything significant for God, has left me feeling a little lost.  Come to find out, she is going through the exact same thing.  Don't you just love how God works? I sure do.  After we talked I didn't feel like everything was solved, but I did feel like I had made some headway and like God was still there...waiting.  For what, I don't know...I just know that God has me where I am, and I need to accept it...maybe not embrace it, but accept my garden where it is and how it looks...and bloom where I've been planted.  

My life and everything I touch is my personal garden and I CAN bloom where I've been planted.  We don't need to all go out and knock on doors, or serve at the soup kitchens to be significant. Some of us are mom's and dad's and our children and loved ones are our ministry.  The people I see daily, whether they are family or acquaintances, are in my garden and how I interact with them matters.  I may be the only person in their life that day, that reaches them for Christ through some small an act of kindness.  That means a lot to me personally, I am serving lunch to the high school kids in town Monday-Thursday and I may be their only smile or kind act in their day! In that way I am significant to God.  

How does running fit in?  Well I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest.  Yet, running is a big part of me at this moment in time and I have to believe that God planted that seed somewhere along the way for a reason.  I'm a runner but that isn't what defines me, I survived cancer, but that doesn't define me either...I'm a child of God at my core and that SHOULD define me.  I am hopeful that people see my heart (God) when they read my blog.  I pray that someone has been touched by my words (Gods words) at one time or another...but that is ultimately up to God not me.  

Running has been difficult for me.  I have had my fair share of injuries because of running, yet I love it. God has brought me through those injuries and the resulting heartbreak the same way he brought me through cancer and every other heartache I've gone through in life.  I got through those injuries because inside of me is a belief that God brings us to the valleys only to shine and show us His majesty when we come out on the other side. He is ultimately the one who gave me my spirit of triumph..it's not me, it's Him.  I hope that I show that in my blog.

You may be asking...What?

I've said all that to say this...I am struggling with pain.  Running past 4 miles is causing me pain in my hip and pelvis and I'm not sure I can keep up my training. That does not mean I am quitting just that I may have to tweak my schedule.  I am just saying I'm struggling.  My husband questions whether I should keep training for this half, period.  I am questioning it myself.  I have been thinking lately that maybe instead of trying to run the whole thing I should try a run/walk schedule.  Ugh! My ego doesn't like that last statement. To be honest, it was hard just writing that last statement. Egotistically I want to say I ran the whole way, but I really don't see that happening.  Maybe God is saying His plan for my half is better than my plan is...I have to learn to stop and listen for His advice.  It's always better than my advice. God may see this half marathon as a way to touch someones life through some seemingly insignificant act or word...I am sure that He sees it's execution and completion entirely different than I see it! It may have nothing to do with me at all and everything to do with Him. 

Thanks for listening to my struggle and for not giving up half-way through, I'm sure y'all deserve some kind of medal for finishing this post. It would be called the Medal of Friendship, and I virtually award it to every one of you! 

I am blessed by you and I thank God for bringing you into my life! Blessings and hugs! I hope I haven't scared any of you off!  I promise I have not lost it...lol!  May God bless you and keep you and may His favor shine on your life.

   



"Limitations only exist if you let them"

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

 © 2013 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Half-Marathon Training...Week 6

Sunday-Ran 8.5 miles.  1 hour 52 minutes and 25 seconds.  Not that I'm counting or anything strange like that.  The sun was out and there was a light wind and it felt great.  The first half of the run is almost entirely uphill so it was hard work, but the last half was a rewarding downhill run most of the way home.  I did wear sunscreen and sunglasses as well as a hat so I went prepared.  I even carried a water bottle and refilled at the halfway point.

How I felt during my long run

Monday-Rest Day.  Did some squats, hip bridges and more squats.  I am trying to not only strengthen my hip flexors but also I am trying to lift my booty.  I want a J-Lo butt, I am woman enough to admit that.

Tuesday-Ran 3.6 miles...40 minutes.  Took this run nice and slow with a speed session in the last 5 tenths of a mile. It was a short speed session but one none the less.

Wednesday-Rest Day/Cross Training...

2 sets of squats, one with no weight and one set with 8lb weight bar. 


2 sets of mountain climbers, 114 all together.


2 sets of push-ups, 41 all together.


2 sets of donkey kicks left and right legs, 104 all together.


3 minutes of planks, side planks, hip bridges, bicycle crunches.


2 minutes of leg circles. Working inner thighs.

50 minutes of stationary bike, 14-16mph for most of the ride at resistance level between 7-11...3 speed sprints on resistance 4...calories burned, between 540-640.

Thursday-Rest Day.  Did absolutely nothing except take it easy!

Friday-Another Rest Day...need to keep legs fresh for Saturday's 5mile run.

Rest Day

Saturday-5 mile race.  50:20 was my time.  I am pretty happy with that, especially because I figured my time would be 55-57.  Like I've said I'm not that fast, but I always have fun on my races.  Unfortunately there wasn't a very big turnout this year so not as much competition and no ribbon for me!  That's okay with me because I am really only there to get the t-shirt and bib!

Jacob and I post race

Miles this week=17.1 running Approx. 12-13 Biking
Minutes run or biked this week=3 hrs and 32 minutes
Minutes doing calisthenics=10 minutes (pretty wimpy) 

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck. 

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

This Years Running Goals and Happy Hump Day Post

Happy Wednesday to all you runners out there, I hope this post finds you all well in body, mind and soul.  

These are my thoughts on that sentiment

I have been reading a lot of blogs that are addressing the importance of diet, hill running, and hot weather running do's and don't s... all of them have been extremely helpful, and I have benefited greatly from their tricks and tips.  

We all need to eat better, and that means incorporating more whole foods into our diets, as well as eating less of the processed ones.  I don't know about you, but I love my snack foods ad they aren't always good for me.  Last year I was eating more whole foods and about 90% of my overall diet was clean eating.  Well things have slipped and I've gotten sloppy about eating that way.  It is time for me to Clean up my act and by that I mean the foods I eat.

Ugh, that means I need to stop eating the Funyuns chips and the cakes I love to nosh on...see what I'm taking about, I have completely fallen off the healthy eating wagon and right into the crappy food bin.  Of course this means that I am still relatively the same size as I was last summer, although I am a bit smaller and more toned...but not a huge difference...boohoo!

1. So for the rest of this year I am going to get re-focused, once again, and cut out those nasty food habits I've picked back up.  I will say though that I don't drink soda (except that one I had last night) and I run a lot, according to my family...they would say I'm an obsessed runner but I certainly don't think so, especially when I compare myself to some of you.  

2. I will get back to the gym more regularly and continue to train for my half-marathon in September with vigor and determination. 

3. I will also drink more water.  This is one thing I am bad about doing, I so don't like water but I know I need it to perform at my best.

4. I will try GU or some other form of energy during my long runs to see if it really will make a difference in September.

5. I will sign up for a few more races between now and September's half.

6. I will continue to do hill work, even if I "loathe it entirely".  (speaking in my Grinch voice)

I am hoping that you will help keep me accountable.  I am so glad that I have running friends online to learn from, so thank you in advance for any help, tips and motivation you can give me.  Blessings and good luck to everyone who has a race this month or this weekend!

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

"Limitations only exist if you let them" 

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Ryan Reynolds, Another Celebrity Marathon Runner

It's that time again...time for yet another post about a celebrity marathon runner.  

In 2008 Ryan Reynolds ran the New York City Marathon in an impressive 3:50:22.  You may have seen Ryan in The Green Lantern, and like the super hero, Ryan was equally impressive in his running of the marathon, he was also a team member of Michael J. Fox's Foundation for Parkinson Research, in honor of his father who suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Ryan called running the New York City Marathon, incredible!  He told reporters after crossing the finish line, "I'm still standing.  I'm very excited about that".  Ryan was motivated in the last leg of the race when he saw Michael J. Fox on 5th Avenue, he says he gained about 15 pounds in goose bumps.  It helped push him through the last 6 miles of the race.

Ryan ran with team Fox in honor of his father who has suffered from Parkinson's disease for the last 15 years.  While racing Ryan thought of his father and the 500,000 other people who suffer from the disease in America alone, and said, "I ran for those who can't".  He was greeted at the finish line in Central Park by his mother Tammy and brother Terry.  When asked how he was going to celebrate, he joked, "I'll probably celebrate by eating my own body weight in raw dough".

In a letter Ryan wrote to the Huffington Post explaining why he was running the N.Y.C. Marathon, he wrote, "Let it be known at the outset, I am not a runner. I am a running joke. Waking up at 4:30 am and jogging anywhere from 11 to 23 miles has been nothing short of horrifying. Although, I've never given birth to a professional basketball player through one of my tear ducts, I can't imagine a worse way to start the day. Conversely, some people have real problems. I digress"...

Further on in the letter he wrote, "One of the reasons I chose RUNNING specifically, was because (as Murakami so eloquently put it) my competition is the most formidable foe of all; ME. The person I have to beat is the guy I was last week. The person I was yesterday. Indescribably worse, those affected by Parkinson's wage a similar war in their own bodies every single day. Unlike a marathon, their struggle won't end in a shallow pool of vomit just outside Tavern On The Green while waiting for an ambulance. They continue day in and day out, silently battling away in the most personal of struggles."


On a lighter note...

Ryan also played the superhero, The Green Lantern, in 2011.  In the movie, a cocky test pilot is granted an alien ring that gives him otherworldly powers...as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron that is tasked with keeping peace within the universe.  You may recall this great tag line from the movie..."In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight, let those who worship evils might, beware my power, Green Lantern's Light." Or this one..."In our darkest hour, there will be light."

 

Personally speaking, Ryan is one of my favorite actors.  I especially loved him in "Definitely Maybe"  he was just such an adorable dad.  I hope you have enjoyed this week's installment of Celebrity Marathon Runners.

Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Half-Marathon Training...Week 4

Sunday-Ran 6 miles...77 minutes.  This was a hard run.  It was very hot...about 82 or so outside, sun was still a bit too high in the sky for me and I ended up overheated and sunburned once again.  So it was into the ice bath for me.

Monday--Rest day.  Well it seems I really irritated my ankle from my run yesterday.  Every time I step down and then lift up my foot, there is significant pain.  Ugh!

Tuesday--Another Rest day.  Still a lot of pain in ankle...when will these little injuries stop coming my way?

Wednesday--Biked 13.7 miles...62 minutes.  Rode the Expresso Bikes at the YMCA today...so much fun.  These are quite a workout, and with so many routes you really can't get too bored.

Thursday--Rest Day.  Still cannot run but that is perfectly okay, I have a ways to go until the half in September.  I can afford to rest up this early in the plan.

Friday--Another Rest Day.  Cleaned my friends house, does that count as a workout?  Why yes it does, after all it's upstairs and downstairs.

Saturday--Ran 8 miles...97 minutes.  This was a great run, the weather couldn't have been more perfect and I took it easy most of the way.  I wanted this to be a relaxed and easy long run and it was just that.  There was a slight wind and the temp was about 61 degrees. Perfecto! As soon as I was home from this run I got showered, dressed and I immediately massaged my legs with lotion and the massage wand...needless to say, my legs feel pretty good.

Miles Ran-14 miles, 174 minutes total.

Miles Biked-13.7 miles, 62 minutes total.
       
Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

Famous Marathon Runners

If you don't already know, I love running, but I also love to read about others experiences with running.  I fact, it interests me to no end to read about famous runners and even celebrity runners, because I always know I can take something from it and learn a new technique or get motivated to run better.  

So on occasion I will write about a famous or celebrity runner and share with you what their experience was like. Who knows, we may all learn something new. 


Today I'd like to share Apolo Ohno's story regarding his 2011 ING New York City Marathon.   Everyone knows Apolo as an the most decorated (2 gold, 2 silver & 4 bronze medals) winter Olympian and  speed skater Champion, but what you may not know is that he set a goal to run the New York City Marathon in under 3 and 1/2 hours.  Well, he crushed that goal and ran it in an impressive 3:25:14.

According to parade magazine...

Apolo Ohno is also known for his stint on "Dancing With The Stars", and he was challenged to run the ING New York Marathon by his fellow Subway enthusiast Jared Fogle, who completed the marathon in 2010 in 5:13:28.  Apolo had already run the Chicago half-marathon and thought it seemed pretty easy, in fact he said he felt pretty good after completing it.  He then ran 16 miles and thought how ridiculous it really was, his feet hurt, calves, hamstrings, knees and joints.


He said that it was totally a mental thing, because he did not have great running technique. When asked who he would want to join his marathon team he replied, "There's too many". A few of those names are, Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, Michael Johnson, Michael Jordan, Oprah, Obama and a few Bush's as well.


With a group of friends like that, who wouldn't want to be on his marathon team...I would.  I personally have really only wanted to train and run in a half marathon so far, but maybe that is just because I'm pretty positive I could finish 13.1 miles...and fear that 26.2 is too far out of reach.  Maybe I'll have to revisit that thought soon.  If I can SURVIVE cancer, change my life from sedentary to very active, I guess I need to believe that I could complete a full marathon with the proper training. 
 
Godspeed...this comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

© 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

O...Is For Over-pronation

Over-pronation is...Excessive inward roll of the foot after landing, such that the foot continues to roll when it should be pushing off. This can twist the foot, shin and knee causing pain or injury in those areas. One way to tell if you have an over-pronation problem is to look at the inside sole of your shoes, if there is excessive wear there, then you have a problem.  Two things that contribute to over-pronation are flat feet and knock knees.  

How to remedy the situation; wear motion control or stability shoes with firm mid-soles and external features that limit over-pronation.  You can invest in over-the-counter arch supports or orthotics, or see a shoe specialist and have them analyze your gait, they will often have the shoes that you need, to perform your best.  After awhile you should be able to see a noticeable difference in the wear pattern of your shoes. 

Good luck and Godspeed.  The word Godspeed or godspeed comes from the Middle English expression "God spede (you)", a wish for success and fortune for one setting out on an enterprise, voyage, adventure, or travels. It may also mean good luck.

"Limitations only exist if you let them"

 © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.

The Big C...as in cancer

 At the time of this writing (2009) I had no idea what was in store for me years down the road...as I re-read this I was amazed of some of the verbiage I used.  (read at the end where I use marathon and sprint) I wasn't a runner then and I am very much aware of God's sense of humor and timing...enjoy!

I remember when I found out that I had cancer; my first thoughts were, I’m going to die. I just did not really prepare myself for those words. I was scared, even though I knew that God was in control, and I was scared because I did not want to leave this world, my family and my friends. I say I am ready to go “Home” meaning Heaven, but really I’m not. My life is great, and I love the people, and the beauty that surrounds me day in and day out, and that in a nutshell is the whole kit-n-caboodle.
How can I be not ready to go “Home”? Heaven is described as something I cannot even fathom, the beauty of it is like nothing I or any other human being has ever experienced, so how can I not be ready to go there? What does that say about me? I will tell you what I think it says… I am not done living my life; there are exactly three boys and one girl I plan to marry off and loads of grandchildren I want to spoil and one wonderful husband, who I can’t wait to grow old with. 

Maybe because the Bible tells me of things I cannot see or touch, I don’t take it as seriously as I should. I believe wholeheartedly in God’s word; don’t get me wrong, it is just hard for me to understand this Heaven I cannot feel. This life I lead here on earth, I can touch, and feel… it is comfortable… What a way to live, comfortable.

Maybe I am not supposed to feel comfortable. It may be that God wants me to be just the opposite… as in uncomfortable. He has plans for me; just because I don’t know what they are does not mean they don’t exist. I cannot for the life of me think of what would be so great about me that God has this whole plan worked out just for my life, but you know, He does. He loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die on that cross so that I could have eternal life. He loves me that much, and I had absolutely nothing to do with it. I have done nothing worthy of God’s love, but yet I have it. “Thank you for the life you have given me, and thank you for loving me in spite of myself”.

The friends I share life with are so special to me; they have all been a blessing in my life. Jesus is my friend too and He has blessed me with so many loved ones, I hardly feel deserving, but I thank Him anyway. As I finish up here, I just want to say that God is not finished with me yet, I am a work in progress, and my life is not a sprint… it is a marathon… to be taken one step at a time. So I am off to continue on the journey I call my life…my cancer…my journey. God be with you and may He richly bless you!

Now in 2012 I am healthy and in complete remission from my cancer.  I have lost about 60lbs and I run, bike and lift weights most days of the week. I have turned my health around with God's help and some determination to go forward and not back.  I don't even recognize that old me anymore,..in fact I cannot even stand to look at my old pictures except to remind myself of who I used to be. I have come a long way baby, and intend on going much farther.  

 "Limitations only exist if you let them"

 © 2012 Shannon M. King. This publication is the exclusive property of Shannon M. King and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Shannon M. King. All rights reserved.