Day 3: 13 Miles of Road

On Behalf of Mom

“Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering.”

― Santosh Kalwar

  

Day 3 was an inspiring and humbling day in this process.  Smiles was registered to run the half marathon with her "sister" Hope.  However, God had a different plan.  When the date of her admission became clear, we realized she would not be able to participate.  After the most difficult 2 days so far, the road seemed a recurring theme.  What was behind them and what lay ahead.  The pain of leaving her behind is clearly visible on the faces of all who love her dearly.  It is a time where even smiling seems wrong.  However, her younger sister expressed her commitment to complete the marathon in honor of Smiles. 

After traveling much of the night and with little sleep and tired hearts, they arrived in downtown Miami wearing Smiles' bows and shirts marked "Walking for Smiles", ready for the challenge ahead.  It's awesome to see what love can conquer, the strength and determination we can have to push even when it hurts so badly.

Together these two beautiful girls walked and ran their hearts out!  They didn't quit when the road seemed endless, when their knees and feet were throbbing, because they were going to do this for Smiles.  Their goal clearly in front of them, to take a medal to Smiles next weekend.

We are so proud of these girls and we are so proud of Smiles.  All three of them brave, big hearted girls.  We are full of pride and humbled by each one of them.  In their own unique way, they inspired us to continue to press on, regardless of how painful and how long this road seems.  The throbbing broken hearts of parents and sisters and families disregarded for the greater goal of seeing Smiles healed and restored in the name of Jesus. 

If only for a brief moment, we rejoice in the example of determination in the midst of suffering, knowing we too will soon see the day the marks the end of this long and painful road.

This is for you Smiles!

Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.