Some Musings...

Here's the thing... while Dawn has been fighting for her life over the past many months, she has no idea how much our friendship has blossomed. Sounds weird, I know. I met Dawn through Michelle and while I've only had the pleasure of spending time with her in Napa, Copper, and Breckenridge, I have come to know her in a rather intimate way through all of this. She has become so dear to me. She is what gets me up in the morning and what gets me out for my runs each day. Just today, as I struggled through this insane "Boot Camp" that I'm doing, I found myself thinking about Dawn and sending her my warm thoughts and feeling her pushing me to keep going. I'm sure that there are many, many people who feel this, too.
What's so amazing to me, as I've followed her journey through Chele and the loving blog/carepage, is how many lives she's touched. Just look at all those posts and comments and prayer lines. Heck, look at all of us, way out here in Colorado, who have spent many a night discussing her strength and her life and predicting all the incredible things that she will continue to do with her life. Even colleagues of mine who do not know Dawn whatsoever, check in with me often, wondering how Dawn is doing and letting me know that they continue to pray for her. This is a tribute to Dawn. There's a movie line that says something about everyone "needing a witness to their lives" and I believe that that's what we are now. We are witnesses to Dawn's life and through that role, we've learned more about our own personal lives. I find myself leading a more gentle life... one where I don't regret the late night concert at Red Rocks or the spontaneous trip to the Tattered Cover on a Monday night to hear that author that I've been inspired by... where I used to be tied down to my planner and my need to have at least eight hours of sleep every single night. I don't miss those events anymore. I go. Our girls group, that got lost in the shuffle of babies and school and work has reconnected and that's because of Dawn's reminder to us that nothing is more important than time spent with those we love.
I'm also inspired by Michelle's strength. I cannot even begin to know how all of this is affecting her... what SHE has taught me is the power of the positive. Chele has spearheaded this race and kept us in the loop, creating the human lifeline to Dawn. Her friendship is no doubt helping Dawn and is no doubt helping us as well.
--Tina