Day 3 - Fitness (Remembering Leslie)

Monday, Feb 10, 2014

61 Days to 5k

Workout: 30 Day Shred - Level 1, Day 2

30DS was significantly easier today especially after my C25k workout yesterday. I noticed the burn but today, I don't feel like I have a right to complain.

Almost 2 decades ago, my parents moved my little 7 year old self to a house in Fort Smith, Arkansas where I didn't know anyone and the kids in my school didn't have a value for "new kids". The house we moved into was on a little street with only 15 houses and absolutely no other children. On my block for several years, the closest people to my age were in high school. 

The house next door to mine would decorate with hogs instead of reindeer at Christmas time in support of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Two of the high schoolers in my neighborhood lived in this house, Jamie and Chris. I'm sure they had no idea that I even existed then as I was just the annoying kid next door. In the eyes of a child, these two along with a few others were awesome. They threw parties. They had jobs which meant they had their own money. They could drive! They were the excitement that I wished to experience one day. 

Many years later, when I was just out of high school, I found my path crossing with Chris again as we had several overlapping acquaintances. Facebook has made it so much easier to keep in touch with friends. I remember hearing when Chris and Leslie got engaged...and then married. I love seeing anyone in love and took special notice of those that got married not long before/after Ben and myself. There were lots of couples but you could see these two bringing out the good in each other. 

Towards the end of 2013, Chris and Leslie announced that they were expecting their first child. But in January 2014, everything changed. 

At 20 weeks pregnant, Leslie Creekmore was admitted to Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 with complaints of being short of breath. She was transferred to ICU that night and put on full, pressurized oxygen the next day. On Monday, Jan. 13, she was put on a ventilator due to complications from severe double pneumonia which is most likely a secondary infection from H1N1.  Leslie was moved via an emergency flight to St. Louis, MO. on Jan 14th. (From the Love for Leslie Facebook page.)

I started following Chris and Leslie's story as soon as I heard that something was wrong. Many people rallied behind them. Knowing the financial problems that were bound to come this couples way and knowing that they had more important things to worry about than money, many kind souls wanted to contribute so the GoFundMe account was started. Shortly after that, plans started coming together for online auctions, a silent auction, and a rummage sale to help with the bills of this unfortunate situation. 

The same week that Leslie was initially admitted, my husband lost his primary job. While we weren't able to contribute financially, I was extremely grateful for Leslie reminding me of what was important so I found a way to help out by donating photography sessions from Illuminate Photography to the auctions. I was so pleased when the first one sold for 150% of the stated value.

If anyone out there is reading this (extremely long) post, chances are that you know I've just started really trying to work out. Today, I woke up so incredibly sore. My neck was tight. My back was in knots. Many muscles were achy. I slowly moved and picked up my phone to see an alert from 5news stating that Leslie had lost her battle.

Leslie had again shown me that my problems are manageable because suddenly, the aches and pains didn't matter anymore and I was ready to workout again.

Personally, I will be doing my best to remember Leslie and what she has taught me every day. So, my probably non-existant readers, I challenge you. Remember that your problems could be so much worse. Go do something. Do it well. Do it for Leslie.

<3