Why I Run

The Omaha Midnight Run is exactly 11 days away.  Which means over the next two weeks, our team will be pushing people to register and going out of our way to spread the word about this exciting event~www.omahamidnightrun.com  I recently had the privilege of doing an interview on Channel 3's midday newscast with Ty from the Hope center for Kids and have a radio interview set up for the end of the week.

Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming, but the reality that I'm apart of something this BIG far out ways the craziness.  It's during these times that I remember why I'm "running."  Please click on the link to watch a short video about reasons our team runs: http://vimeo.com/47935633

In the video you hear me say,"I run in memory of those who can run no more..." I'm also holding a picture of my adorable baby sister who passed away just shy of her second birthday.  She and many like her are the reason I run.  Michaela was born to a woman in jail.  She had severe fetal alcohol syndrome, a feeding tube and trachea, was told she probably was deaf and would never walk.  Michaela taught me so much about faith and working towards the impossible. Defeating the odds, Michaela gained wait, found ways to communicate, and shortly before her death, began physical therapy to begin walking.

We had a special bond that no one could ever replace and I find myself thinking of her often.  I wonder how her life would look now and know she would be by my side pushing me to run harder-because I can.  And that's the most important aspect to all we do at Omaha Midnight Run:We make a difference- because we can.  We dream the impossible and have faith that our world can be influenced. That we can run when they say we will never walk.

Wildlife Safari

It always baffles me when conversation turns to inquiry about information posted on our blog.  Like recently.  I was dumbfounded when a lovely little lady asked if we could "check off" something from my summer "to do" list. My first thought was, how do you know about my summer to do list? Followed by the realization that I wrote about it and they read about it on our blog.  Someone actually reads our blog????

Of course the answer to her question was YES.  Ms. Anna and I have known each other for well, 12 years now.  I was one of her youth leaders who proudly stood by as she became a youth leader herself and then bawled my eyes out when she became a married woman who is now working for God and happens to be the mother of an adorable little girl.  I couldn't be more prouder of this young woman!
We took off for the Wildlife Safari and actually saw a lot of animals!  We spent the morning giggling and catching up. We were awed at her daughters response to the beautiful world of beast and nature. And found that time seems to always catch up right where you stopped the watch.  Promises were made to keep in touch and my heart was filled with happiness as we drove back into the city where time will once again stop and wait for our busy lives to cross paths again.

Omaha Midnight Run

This is my annual post about the Omaha Midnight Run.  As most in our world know, we Mayo's become a little obsessed around mid July with all things OMR until the first Friday of September. This year was no different and in fact became a little more intense as I was offered the position of Executive Director of Public Relations.  This basically means that since we started the process to gain non-profit status, we have to have directors in place and I had already expressed a desire to help promote through public relations. Only difference now is I have a fancy title and business card!

The Omaha Midnight Run is a 5k race through the streets of downtown Omaha. The run was created to partner people in our city with organizations that are effecting positive change. Our goal is to provide solutions to our community through serving, collaboration, and giving. Our staff and hundreds of volunteers work to engage and unite our community in order to see violence, poverty, and division eliminated.

For those who don't know,  this is the third year for the Omaha Midnight Run and second year of going public.  Last year we raised $25,000 and had over 1,300 runners.  This year our goal is to raise $100,000 and we anticipate over 5,000 runners!  This is a BIG job and we have a wonderful staff of committed young adults and a board of well-educated and well-lived individuals to help guide us in this process.  

If you would like to know more about the Omaha Midnight Run, Donate, Become a sponsor, or Register to Run, please visit our website at: www.omahamidnightrun.com

Saying Goodbye

It has taken me awhile to sit and write this as I've been feeling somewhat uncertain about where to start.  But, like most writing projects, you have to start somewhere!  Two weeks ago we lost the matriarch of our family. My Grandmother, Elizabeth-Betty-Bush, passed peacefully in her sleep Thursday, July 26th.  Now I'll be honest, I don't know very much about my Grandmother except the following: She was head over heels in love with her husband who passed nine years ago, she was a mother of 8 active children, a Grandmother of 14 whose ages spanned 2-32, a GG (great-grandma) to 5, a woman who never drove but trusted you as a passenger, a teacher/caregiver to many, and lastly, a very giving person.

My fondest memories are not specifically about her in general, but the precious moments she made during the holidays and birthday parties for everyone.  The Pinatas and Pajamas at Christmas, everyone had their favorite pie at Thanksgiving, and the mountains of gifts she lavished on all of us whenever there was a birth, graduation, or birthday celebration.  Even my brother who was not technically her "blood relative,"  She always remembered him at holidays and on his birthday and for that I'm eternally grateful.  That is one thing I know most definitely about her and a trait I took from her, the acceptance of others no matter what their color or if they were "blood" or not.  If you know my family, you would laugh as we are an eclectic mix of families and race. Yet, in her own way, she loved each and everyone one of us.

During her last brief stay at home, I had the opportunity to have a solid 20 minutes with her all to myself.  Totally unheard of in my BIG family!  So, I took the opportunity to cherish the moment and asked her whatever came to mind.

Me: Grandma, how do you stay married in an age where divorce is all around you?

Grandma:  Well, I don't really care for divorce, but I do know when the going gets tough, you hold on tight to each other. Never go to bed without kissing.

Me: Is that why you and grandpa had 8? (giggling)

Grandma: No...he just loved having babies.

Me: I bet he liked making them better! (this is where she turned her beautiful bashful pink, but her eyes told of a very loving couple)  So, what advice do you have for new mothers?

Grandma: Well, I know somethings about being a mother, but so much has changed.  I guess...just love them for who they are.  They will disappoint you at times, but you just keep loving them. That's your job as a mother.

Me: (now trying to hide tears from her) Thanks Grandma.  I love you.

Grandma: I love you to! (And we ended with a tradition that makes me tear up just thinking about it. My grandmother never kissed you goodbye once, once was never enough.  At least three or four and then you could say goodbye)

And so, that is how I will say goodbye, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-29 kisses, 

for every year you blessed me as my Grandmother.

Waiting For Baby-The Beginning

This post begins a new chapter in our blogging history. For nine years now Nick and I have shared life together as a couple joined by marriage and promises sealed with rings. We have grown up together, traveled to destinations we never knew existed, experienced meeting amazing people, and have shared a life together that we never thought was possible-until we met the other. Which is why this blog-Strong Roots is so important, it is the story of our lives.

A story that sometimes feels like it's just begun while other days it seems as if another chapter has dragged to an end.  Each of us taking turns as the author or illustrator.  But today, begins a new chapter in our lives as we take a step of faith and tell our "Waiting for Baby" story.  A story that most people deem "too private" or "none of their business" and yet curiosity always wins. A story we have felt compelled to share as a couple who find themselves searching, hurting, and loving. Always loving.

A story that begins with hope. A hope that most days seem foolish and misplaced. A hope that is forever living within our hearts blooming as we "wait for baby."