60 miles for Jen…
“Hope your knee is ok. You are an amazing woman and friend.” This was the message I received from my friend Jen Ashauer seven years ago today. We had just completed a 60 mile walk raising funds for cancer research. Jen was a mover and a shaker. In January of 2011 she had phoned several of her friends asking us to walk with her in support of breast cancer. I cannot speak for everyone, but certainly my first thought was, “Is she crazy?! Who walks sixty miles if they don’t have to?” Only weeks after Jen’s request to walk with her, SHE was diagnosed with breast cancer.
What I’ve learned over and over in this life is that ANYTHING worth doing is NEVER easy. These experiences build character. Jen was ahead of the game. She “owned” character. Once diagnosed she INSISTED that we ALL walk and that SHE WOULD be walking with us. Jen orchestrated and organized all things for us to shine on our walk. Matching shirts, pink tutu’s, tent roomies, and all things fun, for our three days together in Chicago.
Quit was not a word in Jen’s vocabulary. The third day of our walk, the skies opened up and it poured down rain for miles. We looked out at Lake Michigan as we walked and laughed through our rain gear. My knee gave out close to the finish line. Yet, good to her word, Jen walked EVERY ONE of those 60 miles, without complaint. If you knew her, that would NOT surprise you. The following May, Jen was told the cancer had spread to her liver.
That summer our team walked again. Jen was not able to join us. We were and are a blessed group of women circled together by Jen. We carried a photo of Jen’s face, high on a pole, the entire 3 days. We spoke on the phone with her as she encouraged us along the way.
She turned 40 in September of that year. We held a big party for her with flamingo cakes (her favorite) and a band. At that point, Jen’s health was weak, but she was not one to miss a party! Not only did she attend, but she danced and took pictures with us all. That night was our last hurrah with Jen before her promotion to Heaven.
We all have things in our life that mold us into who we are today. My eyes saw Jen’s husband Mike flawlessly step in, as a dual parent for their children. Tomorrow, their triplets begin their sophomore year in high school! Her loving parents support of her family, would broaden her smile. If only we would all face adversity the way Jen walked those 60 miles laughing and smiling! She appreciated everything in life and made it fun along the way. I pray that YOU remember in ALL circumstances….your ATTITUDE determines your ALTITUDE. Smile for Jen today and keep looking up!
Peace & Blessings,
MamaC
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” ~ Matthew 7:24-25
PLEASE CONSIDER: The 3-day walk is still going strong! Stridin’ & Survivin’ is THE local team. They are hosting a Wine, Beer & Chocolate Tasting on Saturday, September 8th at 6:30pm at the Knights of Columbus in Edwardsville, IL. There will be music by The Vault, light hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Tickets for this fundraiser are $20.00 and are available at: www.stridinandsurvivin.org.
