It is very humbling to put on an event like our pre race dinner in many ways. We had entire families out pouring tea, cleaning tables, running the auction, all with a smile on their face. Secondly, for people to come out and support us by spending their hard earned money for a pasta dinner and silent auction items to benefit the BDSRA. Also having someone fly half way across the country to speak at your event(thank you Sheila) and then turn around the next morning and hawk cow bells was equally as impressive. She still wasn't as good as our new friend Dan at selling those cowbells though!!!!!! But I digress. Sheila's message personally touched me in many ways, not the least of which is the Japanes phrase that she used. Gambare, which translated literally means: "Get knocked down 7 times, get up 8." I can not think of a better definition of dealing with Batten Disease on a daily basis, and I haven't even gotten to the difficult stages yet.
I thanked several people at the dinner on Saturday night, and missed some key people that I would like to publicly recognize as well. Dr Jim Williams, principal, Wayne McMillan, custodian and Sissy Sarauw the cafeteria manager at Harris Road Middle School. Also Joe Panko at Classic Art Inc for providing many of the auction items that were sold. Most importantly I forgot to thank Scott Campbell and the whole Take Flight Triathlon team for allowing us to be a part of their amazing event. This was my first experience at a triathlon and I certainly understand the excitement of being there now. I may have been bitten by the triathlon bug Sunday morning.
Wanted to share a couple of pictures that are special to me from Saturday night,as well. Thank you Justine!!!!!
