Desmond T. Doss Memorial Run

Oct 8th finally came which meant the long  awaited 1st annual Desmond T. Doss Memorial Run was here at last!  This race was of great significance.  It would honor one of our nation's most deserving heroes- our school's name sake, It would help support local veterans and the school, Mr. Doss Jr would be coming to town to town along with our Mayor to start off the opening ceremonies.

My afternoon began with a really healthy lunch at Wendy's (well at least mine was kinda healthy- baked tater w/ sour cream and a small sweet tea) where we met up with my niece and her parents. After a quick lunch we grabbed Jayna from Poppy and Grandma's house and headed down town to get our race packet (aka bag of goodies, a race shirt and you "bib" number for the non race people reading)

This "race" truly was meant for every one.  There was the 1/2 marathon for the crazy fit, the 10k for the crazy good runners, the kids k for well you know, the krazy kids and the 5k for both the average crazy runner and for the crazy determined regardless of fitness level, walk of life, or reason to go 3plus miles no matter at what speed.  I signed Jayla up for the kid k because Anthony and Jayna have enjoyed the kids runs they've done at bopth Elon Elementary and Jingle Bell Run plus I had enjoyed kids ks about 25 years ago myself.

old school photo of My kids K

Opening Ceremonies began at 1pm.  Mayor Joan Foster led the beginning ceremony, followed by the presentation of arms and 29th Infantry Division Band playing the National Anthem. 

Then Mr. Billy introduced Desmond T. Doss Jr who joined us traveling all the way from Washington State.  It was the first time Mr. Doss was publically  reading of the Medal of Honor Citation presented to Desmond Doss by President Truman on October 12, 1945.  It was moving.  His voice would crack and he would pause to keep from crying as he read the terrors his father faced as he was determined to serve tis country and not bare arms at any cost.  He became one of this Nation's greatest hero's as he saved soldier after soldier and prayed to God to please let him save one more.  He did pay a price becoming seriously injured but kept going.  At the end of the reading Mr. Doss Jr left us with one question. "What more can you do?" 

Mr. Billy welcoming Mr. Doss

Mr. Billy awarded Mr. Doss the 1st medal of the race!  In addition take special notice to the picture on stage left corner

 The school teachers literally covered every single detail when it came to this race.  It held high importance for so many!  One person who had been looking forward to walking the 5k, was unable although he was involved in the early stages of planning and Jayna remembers him being excited and telling them he would be doing it.  Unfortunately God needed him more, so Mr. Copper joined us in spirit and was visually there in the framed photo on stage in the left hand corner.  After Mr. Doss was finished Rev. James Coleman lead us in prayer

reading of the Medal of Honor Citation

 After Mr. Doss was finished Rev. James Coleman lead us in prayer.  Then everyone had a bit of time to enjoy the assortment of booths, displays and even inflatables prior to the kids race starting at 2:15.

Rev. Coleman, Mayor Foster, Mr. Doss, and Brent Epperson a Doss ancestor

at 2:15 The Kids race was ready to begin. J.J., one of the cross country kids lead the heard of youngsters. There two we had the super fast and ready kids and the I might die after 1 lap kids.  Everyone did finish, although not without some mandatory kiddo tears.

On your Mark

Get Set

Go

After the kid race, we asked Mr. Doss if he would take a picture with my two Desmond T. Doss Kiddos. He obliged without hesitation all smiles!

At 3pm the Half Marathon began for our crazy fir friends.  That includes our very own Mrs. Kelly (3rd/4th grade teacher at DTD) and her running buddies
(who are gearing up for the D.C. marathon :-0 )

10 minutes later the 10k began (sorry no photo bc I was chatting with Juanda, Marquis and Richard)
and at 3:17 the 5k began

On your mark get set

GO!!

No such thing as too fast or too slow. the Dedication is the same!

The serious to the casual and even a unicycler.

How the heck are these two all happy smiley now running for fun but one of them was in tears during her race-- really Jayla J?!  I guess you can walk with me next year

Diet Coke Family w/ friend

Everyone had their own reasonings to run/walk/participate.  Some truly did it just for the love of the sport.  Some did it as enlisted service members.  Some made a goal months ago to be healthy enough to participate whether running or walking and they too succeeded.  So many had a story.  Some of the youngsters didn't understand the magnitude of importance of this race, they were just excited to be in a race.  Some families made this a family affair. And what better way to have a Sunday family time day?  For one family in particular it was the end of their 1st week together and they got to participate together. What an exciting way to close the first week together!  As I previously mentioned, some used this race as training for a marathon upcoming.  The people at the race I have known the longest (my dad and kids excluded) are lovingly dubbed "The diet coke family" from my good ole Burger King days.  We met thru that drive thru 13 years almost ago now.  We were far more than customer/sales person as rung true of most my regular customers. And after Burger King and me separated, I still remained in contact with many customers also known as Burger King family.  5 years ago after my kids started at Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy, I got a private message from my Diet coke lady.  She was curious about this school and wanted more info, because she is cousins with Desmond T. Doss.  She's rooted on my kids at this school, collected box tops and would share her connection to the Doss family.  It was super cool this past year as Desmond got national recognition once more via the big screen after his story was made into film.  I would see her share things with her cousin Desmond Jr.  It was such a neat experience to get to learn so much more and feel so much more united to the school after this movie because really prior to it all I knew is he was a war hero who didn't carry a gun.  Which is easy to say, but sooooo much more to actually watch almost like being there and to finally see the massive lengths he went to to serve his country and his God.  So some participants in yesterdays walk/run were truly FAMILY honoring their cousin. 

Mrs. Jeannie's Teacher aid Mrs. Brittany got 1st place. Dad got 2nd.

And then there was one honorable mention.  I am not sure what their story is, whether they are school friends, or doing it for fun or whatever reason but Our oldest participant was a mere 95 years old and rode in her wheel chair while being pushed along the 5k!

The race was a total success. It seemed everyone had a good day. The opening ceremony was very moving and motivating too-- Desmond wanted to save one more, one more, one more.  What more can you do?

Do they know?

Life changing sentence right there.  I am not the overly emotional lovey-dovey huggy type.  Not even close.  I used to be far more talkative, outgoing and confident but, even then I wouldn't go out of my way to hug someone or say I love you at the end of a conversation/day; with the exception of my kids and husband, or as we prepare to leave my grandparents house or my sister or brothers house.

But do the people you value truly know you value them? Have they heard your praises?  Or at the end of the day at the funeral is that the first time you openly admit the impact that person has made?

Jayna's (now former) teacher suddenly and unexpectedly died the last week of July.  At merely 50, relatively heathy, seen by a Dr, so no real medical neglect either all of the school family and his friends and family were basically blindsided by his sudden death. Unlike a typical school we are a very small school with genuine relationships.  There isn't the fear factor of having a genuine personal relationship at school and away from school, online, trips together, outings or hikes or what not.  Far beyond what we've experienced in a public school teacher and student/parent relationship. 

Pastor Mike, a very close friend came to town to lead his memorial service at the school level. (Kid friendly next step of closure, but not his actual funeral either) As friends, parents and students spoke regarding their memories of him and the impact he had made a question/statement was asked/states by Pastor Mike.  I can't remember the precise wording, but to the best of my memories....

I don't know if Mr. Cooper really knew how much people cared about him.  I'm not sure he realized the impact he was making and how loved he was.

Do the people in your life really know you care about them and love them?  I'm typically a (corny) gift giver.  I try to show my love and appreciation through gifts and a simple note or an applicable bible verse (not typically personalized, although written or typed by me).  But I don't know in all our conversations and texts if I ever told him his importance and value on my life.  I know I thanked him the past two years buy did he view it as a traditional it's teacher appreciation week obligation or did he really know and accept the value in how God was using him.  All this to simply say, do the people you value know it? Your colleagues, your medical team, your daughter's best friend's mom, your extended family, your teachers, your son's coach, your pastor, your accountability partner whether weight loss, spiritual, AA sponsor, whomever you value, do they know it?

Cousins are the best

My only disappointment as a teen parent was my kids would never have cousins close in age nearby.  I highly cherish my childhood memories all filled with my WV cousins. 


Zach and I and our 3 WV cousins: Tricia, Amanda and Davey

Although I have 26 siblings thanks to foster care It seemed the ones with kids in my kids age range weren't close by or weren't as connected to us... more like fb friends. Initially Anthony had two close girl cousins, but as time, and work, and college, and life combined one he has no memories of and the other was a constant for the first 4 year then mostly absent for the next 4.  Thankfully she's been back as a constant for several years now but Anthony isn't very social so isn't super close- but Jayna sure is which is perfect, just how it should be.


cousin Kierra (And Skylar too!) in the early years

 My kids are blessed to have the same close  memories with their PA cousins as I have with my WV ones.  All their earliest memories will include their cousins.  Both my kids and her kids.

Cousins in the early years(Hunter, Parker, Tucker and Carter-- and Uncles Joe and Mark)

Hands down every year Anthony and Jayna's favorite times are those spent in Pennsylvania with their cousins.  Neither age or gender has actually effected their bonds.  My oldest is nearing 13, so  4 AND 2 years younger than my sister's older boys.  Then Jayna is 2 and 4 years older than her younger 2 boys.  Their biggest wish every year, every holiday, every birthday and every summer is to go visit more.now.frequently.  I adore they have this.  I wish we were closer in distance, but it's just not meant to be.  So we happily accept every moment we can get and try to fill in the space with texts, facebook and even some online gaming for our gamers.


Locally the kids have a relatively small circle of friends that are more like family than friends and for that I am thankful.  However it still isn't the same as cousins, these kids moms aren't their aunts and dads aren't their uncles.  I do attempt to do a fun activity with the circle prior to holidays with them but again it is just a play date with close friends. 


And then our family dynamic changed; really changed.  My kids had both a big and little sister.  They bonded and loved like siblings... and fussed a bit too!  And it grew a bit more to a family of 8 that the average joe wouldn't understand.  And that was ok, it was our family and how it should be. They still didn't have cousins in Lynchburg, but they had (more) sisters.  And I was so happy and content and forgot I even cared they didn't have cousins nearby.  There was some more fussing and people getting on each others nerves and obvious that 8 people, 2 dogs and 2 cats was too much for one house.  Jayna made it clear who her favorite people were and weren't.  Anthony was and is Anthony and prefers to hibernate in his room or ride his bike.  Now looking back, it was so minor in the grand scheme, even if it felt big and stressful in that moment! Jayna has a very strong personality so it is no surprise the two people in the house with the strongest personalities would bump heads the most!  I had no clue what a gigantic gift was in the making. 

Christmas Eve 2015- Marko was taking the pic

Christmas day 2015- Marko with our kids

Jayna enjoyed having a little sister and doing all that little sister big sister stuff.  She didn't realize what a role model she was to Jayla and that Jayla loved to copy her.  But she did love her and being with her.  Anthony more willingly joined in family activities that wouldn't typically be his thing as we did our version of elf on the shelf and  other things geared more towards Jayla's age in addition to our normal things.

Siblings

And then the family dynamic changed back to just us 4.  And that is when it slowly became a realization.  My kids have (another) local cousin (Kierra and Cale I didn't forget about you!).  A cousin whom they are both very close too!  A cousin who can easily take them out of their shell and see their true happiest personalities.  Yes she is far  younger than them, but that is ok.  Their bond doesn't seem to notice an age difference.  I love that not only can our kids grow up together and be close, but that I also have great friends, practically another sister and brother.  I am so glad that the stress and frustrations that were an obvious issue of a large household in a small house are gone.  The kids never have a complaint about spending time with their cousin Jayla or her parents--- ok I mean other than the long boring hour drive.  Jayna even has sleepovers-- sometimes at Jayla's request and sometimes from Jayna's own request. 

Cousins Forevermore

I am so happy to get to continue to fully have Jayla in our lives and her parents are the added bonus I never knew I'd appreciate this much.  So where as I feel all my nieces and nephews (minus you Kierra) live sooooo far away or that we are just fb friends and don't have that Aunt/Cousin bond.... I get to have Jayla, Corey and Alisa and they want to be a part of mine and the kids lives just as much as I want them in ours.  We've been there since before day 1 with Jayla but never on a level like this and to get here we have clearly overcome a lot together.