Thursday, October 8, 2009

Friendship, Hope, & a whole lot of Love ♥

Hey everyone....I know I've been a very very bad blogger as of late. But winter is coming and that means less weeds and more computer time!

If I can....please let me borrow a few minutes of your blogging time for a very special friend. Back several months I did a post about going to the Boston Marathon with my dearest friend on the planet Lori Scovill. It was a huge surprise to me how much I enjoyed the experience and the amount of inspiration I got from the hard work and extreme dedication those runners have. Coming up on November 1st my friend Lori will be one of those bat crap crazy dedicated runners at the New York City Marathon. YUP a pretty dang big deal. I am immensely proud of her...she blows me away with her ability to meet this challenge. I am so excited to get to see her and her husband run, and to stand on the sideslines screaming my head of like a lunitic, cheering them on. Luckily we'll be in New York where lunatics run rampant so I won't stand out in the crowd.


I'd like to share with you the beautiful heartfelt words of my friend Lori about why she runs...and who she is running for......It will touch your heart I'm sure.
Running in Honor of Joseph O. Davidson


“When I think of words to describe Joe the first one that comes to my mind is integrity; others are unwavering faith, friendship, kindness, and gentleness. He is a wonderful father and an incredible husband.” ~Kathy Davidson


“Joe Davidson was my mentor and will always be my friend. He is an intellectual giant, a scholar, and a gentleman. He is a legend at the Language and Culture Center at University of Houston, where he served as director for twenty-three years. From the early onset of Parkinson’s, I saw him quietly and courageously continue to work with grace and dignity and great purpose. He is my hero.”

~ Joy S.Tesh, Director of the Language and Culture Center, University of Houston


“Dr. Davidson was more than just my Spanish teacher. He taught me how to be a better person.”

~ Nathan Scovill


Dear Friends,
Terry and I are excited to run the New York City Marathon to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation to cure Parkinson’s disease. On November 1, 2009, I will put on my shoes and run 26.2 miles in honor of Dr. Joseph O. Davidson. Why do I run? And why the Michael J. Fox Foundation?

This has been a challenging year for most of the people I know and love. When faced with problems as enormous as disease or widespread economic hardship, it can be difficult to feel hopeful, or to believe that there is anything one person can do to turn the tide. But what I KNOW, what I have learned from my experience is this: It is the small, loving, positive things we do that become the strength and momentum that does turn the tide, that does create positive outcomes, that does change the world.

Two years ago, I didn’t run—ever. Marathoning is a new sport for me. It has taught me so much about life. You can’t run a marathon on marathon day if you don’t practice for weeks and weeks in advance. Marathons aren’t about marathon day. Marathons are about the small, seemingly inconsequential daily choices you make while you train. Marathon victories (for us mortals who just aim to finish) begin at four in the morning on a regular Saturday when it’s 88 degrees and humid outside. It’s won when you get out of bed and do your long run anyway. According to Marathoners, there are two halves to a marathon--the first twenty miles and the last six. What I’ve learned is that the first twenty miles on Marathon day happen because you train well for the previous 20 weeks. Success in the first twenty miles of a marathon is earned during those “private,” day-to-day victories.

That’s why marathoners say that you run the first twenty miles with your body and the last six miles with your heart. They are right. At some point after running the first twenty miles, your body is finished and you hit “the wall.” That’s why the second half of the marathon is the “heart half.” You have to run it with your heart because your body is finished. It also explains why crowd support makes such a huge difference on Marathon day. Being cheered on gives you strength you didn’t know you had and carries you over the tough spots. There is nothing quite like having someone in the crowd read the name on your running bib and cheer just for you, “Come on, Lori. You can do it.” I would not have finished the Houston Marathon without the love, cheers and encouragement of my friends and family. Cheers literally help runners reach beyond the pain and find their heart.

I told my high school best friend, Nikki, that she needed to come see the Boston Marathon. I was there to watch another best friend, Veronique, run. Nikki told me running was “not a spectator sport.” She came anyway. During our adventure, Nikki found herself sitting at the bottom of “Heartbreak Hill.” It is the third of three long, steep hills that just happen to occur in the “heart half” of the Boston marathon. Folks are already tired and bleeding when they reach the bottom of Heartbreak Hill. They are spent. You can see the pain on their faces. A former runner was standing next to Nikki trying to cheer runners on. He couldn’t find the right words to say. Nothing he shouted seemed to help. Then he shouted, “Heartbreak Hill? Heartbreak Hill? You OWN this hill! You OWN this hill!” Runners heard him. They smiled. They gathered their strength. They picked up their pace. They found their wings and ran up that hill. Nikki had to fight back tears as she told her husband the story.

Joe Davidson is an amazing man (read below for more details J). He is also an extremely private man. Joe Davidson has faced with dignity and courage his private, daily battle with Parkinson’s disease. He has done this for years now. I feel immensely honored that Joe has allowed me the privilege to run for him and to gather a crowd to cheer him on during what must be the “heart half” of his race. I told Nikki’s story to Joe the same day I asked him for a picture to put on my Michael J. Fox Foundation webpage. Joe smiled and said, “What we really need is a picture of me at the bottom of Heartbreak Hill.”

That is why I am running the NYC Marathon for the Michael J. Fox Foundation to cure Parkinson’s disease. That is why I am sending this letter. We need your help. Your support, your cheers, your messages, your love, your encouragement and your contribution WILL cheer Joe on in his fight to beat Parkinson’s disease. Your willingness to get involved in a little way WILL make a big difference. Your response is just what is needed for researchers to be able to pick up the pace, to find a cure, to develop wings to help Joe up this long and difficult hill. I believe the Michael J. Fox Foundation, more than any other organization, is uniquely and strongly positioned to find the cure for Parkinson’s disease. There is hope. The hope is us. Run with me.

JOE, YOU OWN THIS HILL!

Thank you friends!
Lori Scovill

To make a donation and to leave Joe a message, click the link below.

http://tiny.cc/ayHM7


I'd like to thank Lori for allowing me to post this beautiful message of hope and love. She is an amazing woman and I can't wait to help give her "wings" in New York next month.

57 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Thank you so much for sharing this, Nikki. What an amazing man and cause.

Ash said...

Nikki - I was so thrilled to see you pop up in my reader!! What a wonderful reason to come in from the garden.

Go Lori! Go Joe!!!

Twice as Nice said...

I give a lot of credit to those marathon runners. My daughter and her husband are running a marathon this month for leukemia/lymphoma. My husband was diagnosed with lymphoma in March of 2007. We are so proud of her honoring her father in this way.

Lynette said...

Well dang Nikki - you pop in from under your weed pile and write this in honor of your friends and now I'm sitting here at work pretending like I've just gotten a bad case of the snotty sinus drip!!

Good Luck to your friends and their friend - I hope they own the hell outta that hill!!

onlymehere said...

My father-in-law has Parkinson's and so this post is close to home. What a great friend to do this for Joe.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

My father-in-law has Parkinson's as well -- best wishes to your friends and all those dedicated runners!

Anonymous said...

Oh how I've missed you dear VIRTUAL friend....:)

What a lovely post...

Kathy :)

Unknown said...

What an inspiration and truly a great cause!!
BTW, glad to see your still alive girl....:)

Heather said...

He sounds like an incredible man. What a great friend to do this in honor of him!

Devri said...

What an amazing man! In honor of him.... Go Lori and Joe!

Cecelia---Sis---Mom said...

This brought tears to my eyes. What a great way to honor a wonderful person. I admire runners.

I am so glad to see you posting.

Cece

mCat said...

Nikki, I love this post more than your Wednesday ones! : )

Tears are filling my eyes and I love Lori's words about running.

Since I am sidelined for a bit, I am loving reading about others victories!

Joe AND Lori....You OWN THAT HILL!

Thanks for such a great post Nikki!!
xoxoxox

Aleta said...

You brought tears to my eyes. "You Own That Hill." This will go in the memory banks. Thank you for sharing this.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

What an incredible story! "You own that hill.."...that inspires me more than you know...thank you....

Decor To Adore said...

I am reading this between college classes in the lab while waiting for help on a project. My instructor thought I was bawling over my current design project. While it could induce tears they are better shed for this moving story.

Kick that hills ASS Joe!

Unknown said...

Oh God, Nikki, so fantastic to see you up and blogging again...

Joe and Lori, you are beautiful, inspirational and if I may... two completely "kick ass" human beings...keep on fighting the good fight.

Peace - Rene

Grand Pooba said...

Wow! What an awesome pair, so much dedication and for a great cause!

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

What a wonderful story and example of Lori's sincere devotion to a friend and hopes for a cure. The courage it takes Joe and others stricken with Parkinson is remarkable!
Thank you for sharing their journey.

Sweet wishes.
Sara

Anonymous said...

That's amazing.

Ginger said...

Great post, Nikki. Lori is running for a great cause.

Shawn said...

That is so cool! Amazing....

Kritta22 said...

Way to go! Thanks for sharing! What a great man!

Anonymous said...

Morning Nikki! The message in this post can apply to every hardship in life! Best wishes to your friend and thank you to Joe for allowing his story to be shared! It really kicks ya in the butt when you hear something like this! Stop complaining and be very very thankful for what I have!!! Thanks Nikki,
Sincerely, Jeannette

ChickenUnderwear said...

What's wrong with being one of those bat crap crazy marathon runners?

Cheshyre Cat said...

Thank you for this post. It's good to get reminders that there are good people out there doing good things. We don't get enough of that these days.

kado! said...

what a heart-felt post! Good luck to your friend in the NYC marathon!

I hope they are able to get help for Joe and all the others who need it so badly too!

i just might have to slip into the city and find you on the side-lines that weekend! ;)

Jannie Funster said...

You are sooooooooooo wonderful, Nikki, as is Joe. Thanks for posting this.

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm glad you're back!

Carma Sez said...

First, great to see you back Nikki.

Secondly, bravo to Lori for all that she is doing to fight this insidious disease that has touched my family directly as well.

sQuish8 said...

That is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

Justine said...

Wow, what an amazing woman your friend is. There's so much heart behind her reasons for doing this marathon. Just amazing and touching. Thanks so much for sharing with us, Nikki. and ooh girl, have a blast cheering them again!

Justine :o )

H.K. said...

I loved reading this and I feel inspired. Your friend wrote a great letter to a man that sounds great. What a great cause to run for!

xinex said...

Great post, Nikki! Ihope they find a cure for Parkinson's Disease soon...Christine

CB said...

Nikki you are a wonderful friend who has wonderful friends.
This is the kind of thing that makes the world a better place. Thank you for sharing it with us and I wish them all the best on their run!
Whoo Hoo!

CB said...

P.S. On another note - It is good to see you back and how the crap is Kristina always first?? ha ha

Mammatalk said...

I'll be rooting for 'em. Glad to see you are back! You were missed.

Anonymous said...

Holy Cripes!!
Who's that old codger with Lori?

Tell him Korte says "hi".

Cynthia said...

What a beautiful post! Go Team Joe!

The MomShell said...

What a small world! I haven't blogged lately and decided to poke my head around a little today and there is a post about Lori Scoville and Joe Davidson. They have been in my stake for years and were just recently split off into another stake. Patriarch Davidson gave my son Jack his blessing a year ago before he left on his mission and I have been in a ward before with Lori. Both are wonderful people. It is funny how the LDS circles and the blog world circles can be smaller than we think. Glad you are posting again, I have been a real slacker lately. Maybe I will get motivated!

Terry said...

It's pretty brave to talk about "old codgers" when there are NO pictures posted of YOU.

"Hi back you old fart"

To Korte from Terry.

LORI said...

Just imagine how cool it would be if everyone who commented donated just 5 bucks at the webpage and left Joe a note of support. That would be 38 people who were cheering Joe on. Joe doesn't check this blog, but he checks the website everyday. Cheer for him! He's amazing!!!

Just a thought.
Lori

Jessica said...

I can't even see to type~

Joe sounds like an incredible man and is incredibly loved.

wendy said...

I have missed you Nikki---I too just can't seem to get on top of my blogging visits.
How cool that your friends is running in that Marathon. How cool that you will be in New York to watch.

I could NEVER run that. (I believe in motorized vehicles) but, I bet I could give it a better shot if I was running for such a good purpose as your friend is.
Nothing in life to get you going like motivation and a PURPOSE

onlymehere said...

I know you have a birthday this month. Did I miss it? If so happy birthday belated! I hope all is well with you and your kids. Take care.

roy/elisabeth dean said...

I would LOVE to run a marathon! What a wonderful friend you have~
♥,Lilly

Debbie said...

What a wonderful and heartfelt post for such a great cause. Your best friend is a wonderful human being.

Stacy Uncorked said...

What an awesomely inspirational post, Nikki! What an awesome thing your friend is doing...and for a great cause.

onlymehere said...

Just stopping by to say I miss you and I hope that life is treating you well. Only 45 days until Trav leaves on his mission and I'm wondering how you could stand to let your son go. I know I'll have the strength but I miss him and he's not even gone yet....you know? Cindy

Donna Lynn said...

Thanks for the inspiration this morning!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Great post..and story--thanks for sharing!

sandy toe

kanishk said...

I was so thrilled to see you pop up in my reader!! What a wonderful reason to come in from the garden. Work from home India

Kristina P. said...

Nikki, are you still alive?

Anonymous said...

Peek a boo Nikki !!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving if we don't hear from you !!!

xo Kathy :)

Tawnya Shields said...

I need a good laugh!!!
Hello my friend! Long time no see. It has almost been a year since I have blogged. Stopping by to say hello and get my feet wet again with blogging. Sure missed my visits with you.
Take care,
Titania

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Tardevil said...

WHERE ARE YOU? WON'T YOU COME OUT AND SHARE YOUR FUNNINESS WITH US?

 

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