Like Frankenstien coming back to life. Kind of fitting for this spooktacular time of year. I have been away but not far away. Since my last posting in April I have been rediscovering myself. So many amazing things have happened while I've been out and about.
I have previously mentioned The Summit Project (TSP), a living memorial honoring Maine's Fallen Heroes, post 9/11/01. I was invited to carry a memorial stone in The Maineiacs(Air Guard)Charity 5k. I needed to train to not only walk 3.1 miles but also carry a stone that could be up to 20lbs. I requeste the stone of a female soldier. I learned I would be carrying the memorial stone of Army SPC Cassandra L Cassavant of Cornish, ME. She took her own life at 21yrs old on 8/3/07 while stationed at Fort Hood. I was consumed with emotions and struggled with how I would connect with someone I never met. It didnt take long.
I began walking, the first 3 miles was rough. The second time I walked my 3 mile trek it started to rain and Soul Sister was playing on my Pandora. A flood of emotions came over me and I began to sob. She touched me, she empowered me, she helped me find my spirit again. When I trained it was we. I actually ended up participating in three 5Ks before walking the Memorial 5K. Going to the gym three days a week and walking three and six miles on Saturday and Sundays and starting yoga up again has brought me a new level of joy. In the Susan G Komen 5K, my first certified timed event I beat my personal best with pace of 12:49 min/mile!! Because of her I crossed that finish line. Both my mother nad my husband also carried a stone in the memorial 5K. Although I carried her stone for one day I will carry her in my heart always. She helped me find my phoenix, rising above to be the BEST ME I CAN BE. I had lost that in all the craziness of the stress at work. I am also studying for a new certification for work; Certified Financial Crime Specialist. Lots of study time ahead for me this winter. My husband I have been on several invigerating hikes this summer.
Mom came to visit for about two weeks from Wyoming. We made crabapple jelly, The Unity Common Ground Fair, did the 5K together, went to Bar Harbor, Eastport, and to Canada to FDR's Camp Campabello, antiquing and ate lobster.
Being involved with TSP has touched my life in many ways, connections with new friends, my husband and my mother getting involved, co-workers, and Gold Star families. This past weekend my husband and I participated in the 2nd annual TSP Acadia National Park hike. Hubby hiked up Cadillac Mountain as a member of one of the four 20 member teams that carried all of the memorial stones to the summit. I volunteered as Base Camp support, helping set up to serve over 200 people when the hike was complete. I had the honor of meeting Cassandra's mother and her teenage daughter. I am grateful for the connections I made with several Gold Star families. It is very hard to put into words the many emotions experinced during this event. But a day absolutely filled with joy.
I am headed to VA in two weeks to walk in the Across The Bay 10K, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with my daughter and my friend. They are runners; I walk a fast pace with some jogging. I am thrilled about this exerince with my daughter and friend. Just think five months ago this was not even a possibility for me. And we will get to visit my Family in Maryland.
I've done a little bit of hooking. We had our first gathering in September and tomorrow we have our next get-together in Winterport. Looking forward to catching up with the ladies about their summer adventures and gardening. Ready to get back to some handwork. hope to post more often and hope you'll stop by.
Keep on livin'
P.J.
