Good morning friends! The weather yesterday was not cooperative for getting in a run. Between the heat of the day where they told people to stay inside and the thunderstorms that kept cycling in the area, I only got in a little less than 2 miles. Oh well, better running days are coming. I am the baby in my family which means that both my parents and two sisters have already died. It is now down to my older brother (by 6 years) and me being the last survivors. He is one incredible man as a minister, educator, coach and humanitarian. He always has chosen to help the weak, poor and unfortunate rather than going for the places where more money would have been offered. Even in my life, when I went through a divorce several years ago, the first person to be on my doorstep to encourage me, was my brother. Yesterday he completed an MRI where they confirmed that he has had stroke activity sometime recently. They also did a colonoscopy where they found a tumor. At this time they do not believe it is cancerous, but easily could go that way unless it is soon removed. This only adds to his already long list of problems. As he said to me last night on the phone...."Right now it is overwhelming and I don't know what to think". The doctors are letting him make the decision of what to go for first....take out the tumor or go to fix the heart and blockages. I have cried a lot in the last 11 hours since I got this latest word. There is no panic in his voice and our conversations are good and solid. However, this all suddenly hit me last night. It caused me to sit down and write to him. He is a softie and I don't want to put stress on his already weakened heart but I also want to share my heart and try to be what he needs at this stage. He did ask yesterday for my help with any thoughts that I might have I have written him a letter. If you care to look at it, I have made a seperate post just for that. It is a tear jerker so be warned. I am not sure just how to say all of this to him, but I know I must. If you want to look at it, please do. I didn't want to clog the daily with it but I also wanted to make it available to those who wanted to see the approach I feel needs to be taken at this stage. It is titled..."A letter to my brother". Thanks for your prayers and well wishes. I enjoyed seeing that these situations are helping each of us to evaluate what we need to do when our day or the day of one of our loved ones, comes. We all do go through this in life. Have a great day. I trust your runs go well and that your injuries are getting better. Thanks for listening. Joey

Vista-I lurk on this forum but felt the need to express my concerns for you. I enjoy your posts every day and am sorry that you are going through what you are right now. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your brother & please know that you touch peoples lives. Some you don't even realize. Take care. Vicki

Good morning Boomers. No run yet today, as I am EXHAUSTED from spending yesterday with my future daughter-in-law gathering, cutting and taking care of flowers. We were at 7 diferent homes in various parts of the city looking for peonies for her bouquet and the table arrangements. Will squeeze one in after work today if the weather cooperates. The thought of running on a treadmill at this time of the year is not a happy one! {{{ Vista ))) Everyone should be lucky enough to have a compassionate, loving brother like you. Your letter to your brother was beautiful - sometimes it's easier to put words on paper than to say them out loud. Good luck these next few days. Roy - thanks for the weather update. I'll share the good news with my DH the golfer. Nice runs, Breger and Tim. Has it cooled off at all? My brother is visiting his son in New York and he said it's been brutal - 100F in Manhattan and lots of power outages due to high usage. 3 days until the wedding - always remember the mother of the groom motto: "show up, shut up, wear beige!" Enjoy your runs, everyone. Jeanne

Vista, take care. Less humidity, lower temps, and fewer fllies today so I'm a happy camper. 5.2 miles @ 9:03 pace. Rushing to a meeting...

Vista – your opening post brought tears to my eyes, and I haven’t even gotten to your letter yet. If I was there with you now, I hope you would accept the long, heartfelt hug I would give you. Please know that we are all walking with you through this, and with your brother. Jlynne – hang in there! Dave59 – Happy Anniversary! (and graduation to your DD) Hearing you folks talk about your hills yesterday makes me sure that mine are not as bad, but they still kick my wimpy flatlander butt. 8.45 miles for me today in a pleasant 61 degrees, with miles 5 and 6 at MP (8:45), otherwise generally an easy-frisky pace (ave 9:39).

Vista, I don't know you well yet, but know that you and your brother are in my thoughts. Ran a very easy 3 last night. The weather was great at 80 degrees and I felt good but tired after my recent return from DC which was great but HOT and HUMID.

Vista -- my thoughts continue with you. Today's run was warm but dry, and not a little windy. 5.1 easy miles in a bleak industrial park somewhere in Nevada. Workout: 4.1 miles, 8:36/mi, AHR 151 (too high) Overall: 5.1 miles, 44:00

Ran for 1.25 miles and then walked...can't breath...no sense pushing it...starting to feel better... {{{{{{Vista}}}}}} My Ragnar team is having our meeting tonight,making sure we all know which legs we are running and what is expected of us