Out of all these years that my husband ran the marathon, I have never done the Mayor’s Walk. I did it with 5 of my 6 kids. It gave me the opportunity to have a good view of the finish line. I usually get there close to the time Shane is running in and don’t see the first runners coming in.

The first few winners came in like it was a breeze. I cheer and clap and think good job. You won! Not far behind them are more runners. Some of them come close to that finish line and I can see their legs cramping and buckling underneath them. I yell and scream for them. “You can do it!” My hands are sore from clapping so hard for them. I want them to make it. They are so close to that finish line. One guy completely fell down. I could see the military guy heading towards him to help him. I’m yelling, “No, don’t help him!” And cheering for the guy on the ground, “You can do it! Come on!” The reason I don’t want the guy to have help is because the moment that military guy touches him, he is out of the race. It would be so sad to be so close and not be able to say you finished. At this point, I’m getting rather emotional for this guy struggling to get up and finish the race. (Although, I tried to blame it on the sun in my eyes.) I’m crying when this guy, who I don’t even know, crosses that finish line. More runners keep coming. Some of them sprint to cross that line. But again, others that are struggling are getting all my yells and cheers for them. They are all accomplishing the same goal but why am I so affected and emotional for the ones who struggle?

I shared my testimony of the gospel in church the first Sunday of September. I had known for a few months that I needed to do it but I kept putting it off. I kept trying to get up that day but someone would beat me to it right when I would get the courage. I was the last one to get up that day. I don’t remember exactly what I said other than I know the church is true. I love my Savior and my family.

My friend, knowing of my struggles lately, she started to cry when I got up there. I didn’t understand why she would do that until the marathon.