Research. Race. Remember.

What a magnificent October sky! Race morning felt like an early fall experience described by a poet laureate. Shannan, her parents and I joined 3000 others at Emory University for a 5K race/walk to raise money for cancer research. This was the second year of the Winship Win the Fight Against Cancer race. Last year, Shannan and I participated as Shannan's mother, Helen, was receiving treatment at Winship. What a grand occasion to return and have Helen participating with us. Even better, Helen took third place in her age category!

 

Shannan and I have long lasting ties to Emory. Our parents worked there, we both attended college there, we both worked for the University and much more. Like most mainstream institutions of higher education construction seems perpetual on the campus. Buildings are always being reshaped, renovated or altogether removed in the name of progress. I decided to take my pre-race run around campus to reacquaint myself with the place. I jogged up to the Anatomy Building where my mother worked for more than twenty years. It, too, has undergone expansion and a face lift, yet enough of the old exterior remained to reach deeply into the recesses of my memory.

 

Much like last year, I paused to remember the life of the woman who raised my brothers and me, and who bravely fought a monumental battle with cancer. It was one thing to give her name, Jackie LaPorte, on my race application noting I would run her in memory. It is entirely different to remember. I do remember. Via the race I sought to honor my mother. I planned to run well. And so I did.

 

Run for a reason. Cling to fond memories.

Tom