Wow! Here we are in the midst of the "holiday" season; I knew it would sneak up on me! As Sarah told me today, "Only 12 more days until Christmas."

As I sit down to reflect, this year's St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is prominent in my mind. I know most of you are aware Team Smiles For Sophie Forever made the trip to Memphis again, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. (See more about our team in related article.) What a weekend it was! We had a great team this year. My Dad joined in the fun, so instead of my parents spending their anniversary in Petosky as they usually do, they spent it with us, in Memphis. I am pretty proud of them, and grateful for their support. I hope I am able to complete a 5K when I am 66!

St. Jude Heroes (people who commit to trying to raise funds for the hospital) are invited to a pasta dinner the night before the race if they raise a minimum of $500. In addition to the great food, participants are thanked, recognized, congratulated and inspired through the words of the ALSAC president and a St. Jude patient/family. Many laughs and lots of tears are shed. People who are attending the weekend for the first time are given a glimpse of what an amazing place St. Jude is, and why their support is so crucial. Of course I am biased, and I know first-hand what St. Jude has to offer, but for many people (as it was for me before February 2007), St. Jude is a faraway place you hear about on radiothons and TV "infomercials."   I honestly feel that participating in the weekend is a life-changing experience, and being a "hero" makes you realize that the running and training really isn't about you, it's about the kids. This year, I completed my first marathon - something I never thought I would want to do. Throughout the training, I told myself that this was a one-time deal. But here I am, two weeks later, seriously contemplating doing the full again next year!

It's always an amazing experience regardless of the race you complete, but for some reason, I really felt like committing to the training and finishing the 26.2 miles brought me closer to understanding the battles that the St. Jude patients (and all kids with cancer) face every day. I can't say enough how inspiring the whole race is. There are so many examples. Ask anyone on my team! During her run, my sister watched a wheel chair participant take a major spill on a downhill. She witnessed other runners coming to his aid and helping him repair the wheel and patch up his road rash. I saw St. Jude marathon runners often stop and clap for the bands and musicians playing on the streets. I saw many people cheering on fellow runners and helping them through the tough moments.  With 17,000 runners, the streets were often crowded. Accidentally bumping shoulders with a runner next to you, didn't bring an annoyed look, only a smile and an "I'm sorrry." My friends Kathy and Jennifer said they couldn't fight back the tears running through the St. Jude campus as the doctors, nurses and patients cheered them on, holding signs that read, "Thank you for saving my life," and "You are MY hero." Kathy said the tears flowed again while hearing the song "Held" by Natalie Grant stream through Pandora near the end of the race as it inspired her to finish the 26.2 miles.

There are so many stories of inspiration I could share, but even typing them on a computer can't begin to do the event justice. Many have asked me how the race was, and I repeat most of the same memories. (Thank you for asking by the way!) Sharing one's personal "story" of running a marathon reminds me a little of sharing the details of your wedding, pregnancy or giving birth. Each story is different, and people like to talk about it. I will give you a little synopsis. Was it hard? Yes. Impossible? No.  Memphis has a lot more hills than Cleveland, and the temperature climbed to almost 70 degrees with pretty steady winds, which never seemed to be at my back! How long did it take me? About 4:49 minutes. ( I never claimed to be fast!) Yes, there were many times when I walked. Everyone who told me it would be more mentally than physically tough was so right. At mile 12, when the runners completing the half marathon went one direction, and I had to go the other and complete 14 more miles, I seriously reconsidered the full. Not because I was so tired, or in so much pain, but just because I knew it wouldn't be easy. And I just wanted to be done. Miles 13-16 were the hardest for me mentally. At mile 13.5 my ankle was feeling a little sore and I was afraid I was going to get stuck out at mile 18 and not be able to walk.   For the first time that race, I prayed to Sophie for two things. For one, to take the ankle pain away and two, to help me get focused. I swear, the remaining 10 miles really weren't so bad once I said that prayer! I started thinking about all the times that Sophie probably "just wanted to be done" with cancer and radiation; but she didn't have that luxury. I thought about all the kids and families being treated at St. Jude who would probably give anything to only have to worry about training for a marathon, instead of worrying about their child with cancer. During the second half of the race, I played "pass and get passed" with a runner with only one leg. He, Sophie, and all the kids inspired me. And then, although the remaining miles were slow, they weren't horrible. At mile 24 when I approached the hospital for the second time, I thought of the comment on the route preview blog which said, "As you make a counter clockwise loop around the St. Jude campus perimeter you can draw inspiration from the true struggles going on inside those buildings. That dose of perspective can help propel you over the last two miles." There is so much more I could say about the race, but I have already taken up more space than I am allotted! If you want more details, I am happy to share.

By race day, 7100+ St. Jude Heroes had raised $5.7 million dollars. Simply amazing yet disheartening at the same time. Why? Because it costs over $1.8 million to run the hospital for one day. As you can see the fight is not over. If you would still like to donate to our St. Jude team, you can click here to visit my personal fundraising page. I want to express my gratitude to those of you who donated in support of my efforts. I can't explain how much it means to get an email telling me I received a donation. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And guess what? It's never too late for you to make a difference, and no dollar amount is too small.

As for next year, 2013 race registration opens in May, and all the races sell out pretty fast. (The half and full will sell out within the first month). If you want to make a New Year's Resolution you won't regret, commit to join team Smiles For Sophie Forever in Memphis next December. We'd love to add new heroes to our team! All are welcome, and if you decide today, you will have almost a year to train! (I'm just a wee bit inspired by the work St. Jude does, can't you tell?) Here is just a glimpse into the highlights of past years.   

As we wrap up 2012, don't forget there is still time to order our 2012 SFSF Christmas ornament. This year's rendition is my favorite so far.  It has an imprint of the very last rainbow Sophie ever drew (June 2007). If you would consider supporting SFSF one last time in 2012, it would mean so much to me. My good friends Jen and Lance Esparza just purchased 32 of them! 32! They are using them as gifts for family and coworkers, and giving back to SFSF in more ways than one. I thank them and everyone who has bought an ornament thus far. Maybe you might consider giving an ornament to someone who might not know about SFSF.  You can click here to order one (or more!). If you live in Avon Lake, I am happy to deliver yours to you to save you shipping, and anyone local to my Mom in Michigan, can get one from her! Thanks for your support!

In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to all of our 2012 SFSF supporters. You have given us the ability to continue our mission and for that we are eternally grateful. We thank those of you who have given your time, talent, and/or treasure in ways big and small. We wish you and your families nothing but health and happiness in the New Year. And as we scurry about making last minute preparations and worrying about things that we can't control, I ask you to take a minute and reflect and give thanks for your health and the health of your kids.   Because today, and every day, including Christmas, a child will be told he/she has cancer. And while each child will fight the fight of his/her life and battle with more strength than most adults, only some will be given a chance for survival, while others will hear the words of utter devastation: "terminal, and nothing we can do," facing the reality that this might be their last Christmas together. It's a wakeup call no one should have to get. I myself still wonder and wish about what things I would do differently had I known that 2006 would be Sophie's last Christmas. So I thank you today and every day for making a difference and joining in our battle to someday win the fight and prevent children and parents from facing this devastation. May you always be Held.

Warmest Wishes,

Emily Quayle

SFSF Board President

Sophie, Sarah, and Marie's Mommy