Angels on Foot

"26.2 Miles of Running Heaven," pitches the Half Moon Bay International Marathon. Indeed the course boasts of a spectacular coastline view for much of the race. But I think the race is made much more heavenly by the supportive fleet of volunteers, staff, organizers, and enthusiastic race participants. I met a lot of angels on foot on this race.

"The runner with the pink rose!"

I've never felt such joy in running a marathon than HMBIM. My fellow runners were greeting me, smiling at me, giving me a thumbs up, running along with me, chatting with me, and even one runner, Sarah, crying with me. The spirit of caring was overwhelming. The beautiful people in every aid station cheered gloriously for me. They nourished me not only with water and sports drink but also with words of hope and encouragement. Knowing that I might not see the smile of these people again, I stopped by every aid station to share my story of what the pink rose is for and to show appreciation for their volunteering. I also stopped at around Mile 19 to enjoy the music of a trio and dance along. What is there to hurry when you hear beautiful music? I also promised to pray for the guitarist's mother who, I learned from him, has brain cancer. The spectators on the road also showed their good spirits, like one little boy shouted, "Here comes the runner with the pink rose!" Finally, the joy of victory at the finish line. I finished far from first place, but I definitely felt like a winner. With no less than the race director greeting me personally at the finish line, people clapping and cheering, and surrounded by the family and the high school friends of my wife who passed away from breast cancer six months ago.

I came to run this marathon to escape my grief after my wife's death; but instead, I experienced heaven and met angels on foot.

To my dearest wife, Jinky, I love you so much! I miss you terribly and how I wish you were still here to hear all about my race at Half Moon Bay. But today the pain was eased by the joy that I felt from the support of caring people I just met and from the love of your high school friends who was inspired to honor you and to do this run for you.

A pink rose for my wife

Joyfully approaching the finish line

My wife's family and friends, some of the angels on foot, in this heavenly run.

Friends For Life

Sometime last year, I kidded my wife, "You better get better, your friends from high school might get tired of visiting you." They come from all over the United States to spend time with her every time they hear news of her being hospitalized. They bring her favorite food, play her favorite music, do endless picture taking, and of course all night long reminiscing about their high school days in an all girls Catholic school many years ago.

In March this year, they all faithfully came again one Saturday, the 12th, to spend time with their friend. They were all in high spirits including my wife who tried to enjoy their presence. One of her friends described the day as truly heartwarming, but also heartbreaking. Not for long, my wife had to retreat to her bedroom and very somberly said, "I am getting tired now. I'm sorry I can't entertain you anymore." Six days later, she passed away. Her friends faithfully came again a few days later to bury her.

But so you think that would be the end of it. Not so fast. On Sunday, Sept. 25th, they are again coming together to celebrate her life. They will do a "Run For Jinky" at the Half Moon Bay International Marathon in California in honor and in memory of their beloved friend.

I will also be there to run along with them. I will be carrying with me a pink rose for the entire 26.2 miles...to remember my wife and all the people whose lives she has touched, especially her friends....for life even unto death.

Jinky with her high school friends, March 12, 2011.
She passed six days later.

Run for Jinky, In honor, in memory, and in prayer.
Half Moon Bay International Marathon, CA. September 25, 2011

God's Protection

During a rather uneventful out and back run to a small town of approximately 1,500 people, I experienced God's protection. Byron, CA is a farm town southeast of booming Brentwood City. However, it has an old Catholic church established in the 1880's, St. Anne's. St. Anne's is memorable to me because my wife and I got lost for an hour looking for this church. When she was still alive, we went around visiting different parishes doing pulpit talks to invite married couples to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend.

So today I planned to cover 14.4 miles in all.  Going 7.2 to St. Anne's church and 7.2 back to where I parked my car. I mapped my route carefully to make sure I don't lose my way and to see what road and neighborhood conditions to expect. The last time I drove to Byron was about 7 years ago so the way to St. Anne's is totally unfamiliar.

I headed out running at around seven in the morning. I appreciated the cool gentle headwind. Moreover, I enjoyed traversing the pancake flat asphalt roads. The run to St. Anne's was easy as pie.  I would even say it was a boring run except for the noise of the passing cars, trucks, and trailers and the sight of the busy farm workers. So it was rather uneventful until around Mile 10 on my way back. I was praying the rosary and I was at the 4th Glorious mystery when I passed a gated house. I could already hear barking sounds as I got closer to the house, when I saw a big dog dashing across the front yard. I wasn't worried since I saw the cyclone wire fencing the perimeter of the house. The dog kept running towards me and then it slipped through a small opening and out the street towards me. The next moment the dog was right in front of me! Without hesitation, I jumped off the sidewalk and ran across the road and in front of a passing car. I barely got hit by the car!

I kept running for a few moments then I looked back. The dog was nowhere to be seen and the car simply sped off.  Trying to recall what just had happened, I realized that the dog actually stopped on its tracks about 5 feet just before it could've attacked me and the car screeched to a stop about 5 yards just before it could've hit me. For some reason, I actually felt safe and protected. And I think I know why...I was praying the rosary at that time. I honestly believe God sent his angels to save me today.

I went on my way to finish my run and continued to pray the rosary. I am blessed today to have receive God's special protection.

St. Anne's Catholic Church, Byron, CA at Mile 7.2

God's Protection

During a rather uneventful out and back run around a small town of approximately 1,500 people, I experienced God's protection. Byron, CA is a farm town southeast of booming Brentwood City. However, it has an old Catholic church established in the 1880's, St. Anne's. St. Anne's is memorable to me because my wife and I got lost for an hour looking for this church. When she was healthier, we went around visiting different parishes doing pulpit talks to invite married couples to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend.

So today I planned to cover 14.4 miles in all.  Going 7.2 to St. Anne's church and 7.2 back to where I parked my car. I mapped my route carefully to make sure I don't lose my way and to see what road and neighborhood conditions to expect. The last time I drove to Byron was about 7 years ago so the way to St. Anne's would be totally unfamiliar.

I headed out at 7 in the morning. I appreciated the cool gentle headwind. Moreover, I enjoyed traversing the pancake flat asphalt roads. The run to St. Anne's was easy as pie.  I would even say it was boring run except for the noise of the passing cars, trucks, and trailers and the sight of the busy farm workers. So it was rather uneventful until around Mile 10 on my way back. I was praying the rosary and I was at the 4th Glorious mystery when I passed a gated house. I could already hear barking sounds as I got closer to the house, when I saw the dog dashing across the front yard. I wasn't worried since I saw the chicken wire fencing the perimeter of the house. The dog kept running towards me and then it slipped through a small opening and out the street towards me. The next moment the dog was right in front of me! Without hesitation, I jumped off the sidewalk and ran across the road and in front of a passing car. I barely got hit by the car!

I kept running for a few moments then I looked back. The dog was nowhere to be seen and the car simply sped off.  Trying to recall what just had happened, at the last moment, I realized that the dog actually stopped on its tracks about 5 feet just before it could've attacked me and the car screeched to a stop about 5 yards just before it could've hit me. For some reason, I actually felt safe and protected. And I think I know why...I was praying the rosary. I honestly believe God sent his angels to save me today.

I went on my way to finish my run and continued to pray the rosary. I am blessed today to have receive God's special protection.

St. Anne's Catholic Church, Byron, CA at Mile 7.2

Finding God

Today was another long day for me. It's been pretty stressful at work lately. And going home to rest in an empty bed at night doesn't help. I've been longing for my wife's comforting presence especially during these times.

When I went out for a run after work today, I felt the need to find God. As I headed west to a trail running towards the setting sun, I murmured to myself, "God, where are you?" I repeated the question in a rhythm with my slow start up pace. As I went on and picked up the pace, I felt myself wanting to raise my hands in arms and scream, "God, where are you?!"

Just as I was about to do that, I closed my eyes very briefly and took a big, deep breath; then exhaled. I did it again; then again, until I was starting to pay attention to my breathing. I stopped my ranting and found myself calming down and getting into a more comfortable running pace. As I focused on my breathing in and out, in and out, in and out -- two words came to my mind.  "Make room."  I repeated the words as I ran -- one word for every breath in and air out. "Make room."

Then from the quiet trail I was on I came out on a busy street on my way back. But those words lingered on as I  ran along the hustle and bustle of that road..."Make room." Finally I made my way to my neighborhood and it became quiet again.

I was finding God in my run today. But ironically, He found me. The truth is that He's always by me; but He wants me to make room for Him, most especially when life gets busy and hectic. Make room. God is always waiting for us to let Him in.