Living For HIM

Bloomsday #43 For Me 2024

As I say every year, this race is very special to me. It is a reminder that miracles still happen. 2012 was the year of my ruptured brain aneurysm. Medically I shouldn't be here to do this race but I am. The gift from God of a full life and the ability to continue to do this and other things I love to do is a miracle. Not to mention to be here to share life with all of my family and friends. God is so Good!

Sheila and I weren't able to go to the trade show together so I had to get a stranger to take this traditional picture.

Here we go! I hadn't trained as much this year because of a little knee issue.

The scripture above the piano was given to Mike by a friend when I was in the hospital in Seattle.

Not the best weather on Sunday for Bloomsday. For two plus hours it rained and drizzled. It was in the 40's when we started. Love the support of my Bloomsday partner, Sheila. Through thick and thin, even rain and cold.

Susan Weber. We see her almost every year before the race starts. So many people and we seem to be right by her. She didn't want me to take this picture. Can you tell?

Not as many pieces of clothing in the trees. Probably because there were being worn.

Here we go. No helicopter this year. That was probably weather related.

We both wore our Team Gleason rain jackets. Turns out they are waterproof, thankfully.

A really long line of people.

This is when the whispering starts in the crowd. There it is, THE HILL! You can see it in the distance.

Long, long steep hill.

Here we go!

The hardest part is done but we still have 2.45 miles to go.

The view is spectacular at the top of Doomsday Hill.

The vulture awaits the participants at the top of the hill every year.

Katie and Chris were headed home on Sunday. Katie had sent me a text saying they weren't sure if they were going to hang out to watch us. Surprise! Chris and Katie cheering us on along Broadway the home stretch. It was great to have someone to cheer us on!

We did it!

7.45 miles in the rain and cold and it was worth every step!

A quick sandwich in the park and we headed home to dry off and warm up!

Katie's WSU Graduation, Go Cougs

What a week ending with a spectacular weekend. Records were broken, Katie's WSU graduation and Bloomsday. Lots of tears of joy especially for this graduation. Katie worked so hard to make this happen. Working full time taking a few classes at a time. We are all so proud of her.

We waited and waited for Katie's turn to walk and be acknowledged for her huge accomplishment. It's time. After she left the bleachers we couldn't really see her but Chris could see when she was getting close and he kept us informed.

There she is, the star of our show!

I don't know if she was crying here but some of her supporters in the stands were.

Off she goes.

Chris got a great video of the moment.

Of course we met Katie afterwards to congratulate her!

Happiness!

Katie has the best friends. She didn't know they were coming. Jamie and Katie Stone.

Not sure what this is about but couldn't resist adding it.

Better, ahhh!

Friends forever!

Christ organized a great get together for Katie in Spokane. She was joined by her life long friends for this. I think there is seven of them including Katie. She is so blessed having these relationships. That doesn't happen often. Priceless.

I know from experience how much work it is to get any degree. Katie had to work extra time because she was working full time. That made this accomplishment even bigger and better. She was persistent and got it done. To say I am proud of you really doesn't fully express how it felt to watch you over the last few years go after this degree. You did it!!!