Perspective

Most of us go through life looking forward to birthdays, anniversaries, and key dates that mark important events and milestones in our lives. We take for granted the fact that we’ll celebrate a birthday next year, go on vacation with our family, and endure another mediocre season with the Redskins. Some of us even look forward to running 26.2 miles. This is part of the normal rhythms of life; it’s something we all take for granted.

Perspective is everything. What we celebrate and take for granted has a much different meaning when you change your point of view. Kate makes this point so eloquently in her most recent blog post. Suffering from a horrible disease makes it difficult to look forward to birthdays, holidays, and the future in general, when the present is filled with so much uncertainty. Yet, despite every reason to despair, Kate endures, moves forward, and works through these challenges. She has hit some bumps in the road, yet refuses to give up. She remains optimistic and more committed than ever to win her epic struggle against pc, and does so with great wit and a sense of humor.

In three weeks when I cross the finish line near RFK Stadium, I look forward to celebrating with Kate. But I will not be celebrating the accomplishment of running 26.2. No, I will be celebrating Kate and her accomplishments, her spirit, and the inspiration she provides to all of us. Knowing Kate, though, I think she’ll want to celebrate the fact that I finished the race without tripping over myself. Perspective really does matter!