Anniversary

Tommy and I celebrated 34 years of marriage this week. May 24, 1975. Ten days after I finished college and one week before he reported to duty at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas.

One thing God impressed on me even as a youth was to marry a Christian man, and He provided a great one. (Thank you to all those Christian men and women in my life for the example you were!) Tommy and I met on a church mission trip in 1969 and were friends for two years before we started dating. We dated for four years. Yep, you did the math correctly. We've known each other for 40 years! And, what a life it has been!

A career in the Air Force that took us many places and blessed us with friends across the United States and around the world. Those early marriage days when we decorated with bricks and boards for bookshelves--and moved them to new homes, twice. Two wonderful children and now a fantastic daughter-in-law. The means to travel, which we both love. The joy of spending time together just watching TV or reading or working in the yard. Someone to lean on in the difficult times.

There are a few more pounds and a little less hair now. But, I am thankful for Tommy and our life together. It's still an exciting life and I look forward to many more years together.

Race for the Cure

Salt Lake City holds its Race for the Cure the Saturday before Mother's Day. Over 18,000 people walked or ran the 5K route. For several years, ladies (and a few men) from my church have participated. There are mothers and sons, grandmothers and granddaughters, and friends. Most of the participants have friends and/or family who have been affected by breast cancer. Some are survivors; some are not. Regardless, participating in the race is a way to honor those dear people. My mother-in-law (on the left) had breast cancer at age 65 in the early '70s when surgery was much more radical than it is today. She lived 20 years after the cancer. My mom (on the right) is a four-year survivor!













The clever team names are hilarious. Some of my favorites are, "Harleys for Hooters," "Save Second Base," "Feel Your Boobies," and "Save the Tatas." We decided to come up with a team name for this year. We debated on Baptist Boobs or Mountain View Mammaries. Mammaries won.

We arrive very early to stroll through the vendors who have come to give away or sell items. There are pins, water bottles, wrist bands, scarves, chances to win running shoes, etc. Ronald McDonald is there, and McDonald's gives out apple slices. Many of us wear pink. After the race, our group had lunch at Jason's Deli.

Yet, even in the midst of the fun and fellowship, there is a seriousness to the race as well as we remember why we're there. We saw a gentleman walking by himself carrying a flag and wearing a sign on his shirt that read, "walking in honor of my beautiful wife of 34 years." And, a young boy with, "I love walking for my mom." One of the ladies who walked with us lost a dear friend in January to breast cancer and wanted to do something to honor her.

Here are a few pictures you might enjoy.



Pink shirts are survivors.

Fuze gave these capes away and took the picture.