You all know me, and you know that I hardly EVER ask for money, or promote other give-aways in hopes of getting something for myself on this blog.
BUT...I am going to break that rule with the following post.
My Parents...(that's right the old people in this picture :) ) are running the New York Marathon on November 1, 2009! I know they are nuts...and I've learned to accept it as an unchanging truth at this point!
Anyway, they are running the NY Marathon as part of TEAM FOX. In other words, they are running to raise awareness and money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. A foundation that gives 95% of what it earns to the research and development for a cure for Parkinson's and other diseases. They are running it in behalf of Dr. Joe Davidson a friend and colleague of my mom's, as well as a member of their Stake- who is currently fighting his own battle with Parkinson's. They are also running for my Dad's friend John and my Great Grandma Van Buren who we also recently found out has Parkinson's.
I know that we currently live in a time of uncertainty. I know that we are all spending a lot of time circling wagons and making sure that we are taking care of our immediate loved ones. But, if we could each donate $1.00 it would make a huge difference, as well as let Joe, John and G'Ma Van Buren know that we can and will help take care of them too!
Below is the write up my Mom did for Joe on her Website about why she runs, and why she runs for Joe! At the bottom is the link for those that would like to donate to my Mom's or Dad's website! Please read it....and if you can please make a donation to their worthy cause. I know it would mean a lot to them and Joe if we could make that "honor roll" list super long!
BTW: I am super proud of you Mom and Dad! LOVE YOU!
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 ). 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
MORE COOL THINGS ABOUT JOE:
Academic Degrees: Joe Davidson has a Bachelors in Spanish from BYU, a Masters in Applied Linguistics from BYU, a Ph.D. in Theoretical Linguistics from University of California at Berkley, and a second Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language from Georgetown University in Washington DC
Professional Experience: Dr. Davidson was the director of The Language and Culture Center at the University of Houston from 1983-2006. His work there was nothing short of exemplary. In fact, when Joe retired early due to Parkinson’s, The University of Houston immediately funded a scholarship in his honor. The Dr. Joseph O. Davidson Scholarship is given to an outstanding student at the Language and Culture Center each term.†
Church and Community Service: In addition to having an outstanding career at the University of Houston, Joe worked tirelessly as a volunteer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Joe served in many callings. Here are a few. Joe Davidson is currently serving as the Richmond Stake Patriarch. Before that he was Bishop of Alief Ward from 1994 - 97, He was Bishop of Braeburn Ward from 1991 – 94. He served on the Stake High Council from 1985 – 1991. He was a counselor in three different Bishoprics. He was a Ward Mission Leader, a Ward Young Men’s President, and a Counselor in the Houston South Stake Young Men’s presidency. Joe also served a full-time mission to Cordoba, Argentina. Additionally, Joe worked under contract with the Peace Corp to Bolivia and Peru through BYU studying the Aymara and Kechua languages. He then wrote pedagogical grammar of Aymara for LDS missionaries going to Bolivia.
Family Life: Joe is happily married to his sweetheart, Kathy and together they have raised a brilliant, beautiful and talented daughter, Julie.
†Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~ Margaret Mead
TERRY has a webpage too! To visit his webpage, follow the link below:
http://www.teamfox.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=nrLXJ0PFKuG&b=4815191&sid=ivL2LlPWKhK3LkNVLrG
This looks helpful...laundry in piles. Trust me. It's not. They were already in piles. Sorted. These are a different "sort" of pile.
Ah! Simple Pleasures!