You must be at the end of your rope. I felt a tug.

I added a quote at the top of my blog after thinking about all the people I have met or read about who are struggling with many things in their life, yet have embarked on this Marathon journey.

There's Cheryl who is struggling with a sick son and stepfather.
There's Vickie who's husband is often far away from home.
There's Mandy who's recovering from a trauma in her past and worried about her brother.
There's Rusty who has Kinsey who has been in the hospital way more than any little one her age should be.
There's Kayra who immigrated to the U.S. and put herself through college at Old Miss and is now the mother of three.
There's Mary who was brave enough to broach the subject of poop.
There are those of us who have struggled or are struggling with injuries like Christa, Scotty, and Sherita.
There's Clark whose knees have sidelined him, but he's still with the group, helping out where he can.
There are those of us who are just struggling like Onetta who was brave enough to put into words what many of us feel.

These people, and all of the people whose stories we don't know, are working toward getting to that starting line in Chicago on October 7, and we're all depending on one another for help to get there.

We are so fortuneate to have people like Mark and Robin who always have encouraging words, Kelvin, who always has a perspective that makes us laugh, Shekerra who always seems to be so full of energy and enthusiasm (oh, to be 19 again!) and all the folks who write encouraging words on each others' blogs.

I just hope there is no one out there who feels alone in this quest. If so, be sure to blog, share your feelings and your fears, and then take heart in all the encouragement you will be sure to get. Don't try to go it alone! Tug on the rope...someone will pull you up.