Last Thursday, my wife was in a local mall and she saw three women in their 40s, each taking care of a young adult in their early 20s with an obvious mental development delay. These women were caretakers, not parents. Tiff was in the food court and impulsively, she went to the McDonald’s, bought a bag of 13 cookies and gave it to them. She told them that as the mother of a boy who is severely autistic, she appreciated what they were doing and wanted to thank them. The women accepted the cookies and one of them broke into tears.
She was grateful for the gesture. She works hard taking care of the young man she is assigned to and people never do what Tiff did. It felt nice to be thanked for what is normally thankless work.
In a way, I know how that woman felt. What I’m doing doesn’t compare to what she’s doing — she’s working anonymously and thanklessly to help those in need and I’m just running (literally) with an idea that could make a difference. But I receive comments, suggestions, offers for help and donations and I’ll admit to getting a little watery-eyed at times. I try to thank all of you because I really appreciate all of your support. It’s nice when people support your effort to try to make a difference. Like I said, in a way, I understand how that woman at the mall felt.
Running Update
I’m running the Tucson Marathon this weekend, so I’m in taper mode. Kind of boring and blah. I went for 13.1 yesterday morning in 1:41. It felt nice to turn the wheels a little bit. I think it’s going to be too little, too late, and I don’t think I’ll be ready to get that elusive sub-3 on Sunday. But I’m getting closer and closer to getting back to where I was before my disastrous summer.
This morning, I was going to run 6, but it’s cold and raining outside and I’m starting to come down with a sore throat. I figured I’d be better off staying in. Maybe I’ll go for a run after work tonight or maybe I’ll go to the gym. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding? Maybe I’ll go for a run tomorrow morning.
I Need 30 Seconds Of Your Help!
I’m pushing this every day, but that’s because I have to! Between now and December 11, there’s a contest being put on by Chase that’s going to award $25,000 to 100 different charities nationwide. The winning charities will be the top vote-getters at a Facebook group page. So, this is a way you can really help out in less than a minute. Just take the following three steps:
1. Click HERE to go to the Chase Community Giving page on Facebook and join the group.
2. VOTE FOR OPERATION JACK.
3. (Optional, of course) Click the button to post in on your wall and tell your friends.
You’re all here because you believe in Operation Jack. Take a minute and help this thing go viral. 100 charities are going to get a huge holiday bonus. Let’s be one of them!
Facebook Changes
You might be a fan on the Facebook page, but we’re moving our Facebook home to a new group page. This will make it easier to communicate with you. I’m not going to spam you, but I’ll probably send brief updates periodically. Messaging will be more effective than having things fly down your news feed, so I’m going to use the group. Make sure you’re over there at here (or click on the Facebook button on this page).
And going back to that contest and going viral, PLEASE, if you have friends in your address book on Facebook who might be interested in Operation Jack, please send them an invite to join the group!
Ice Cream Update
I’m at 47 days in a row now after a bowl of peanut butter fudge swirl last night. That’s definitely my new favorite. I’m sure you’re glad to know. You may now carry on with your Monday.
That’s All For Today
Have a great Monday, everybody!
Erin Ruff says
Aww, Tiffany, you rock! Thanks for sharing the story Sam.
Ben Delaney says
C’mon, it wasn’t raining that hard this morning. You would have been in and out in less then 48 minutes. Just kidding Fels.
Nice story about Tiff, bummer about the Strikers this weekend and good luck this weekend in Tucson if we I don’t see you before you leave.
Ally Phillips says
How sweet of your wife–I can’t even imagine what a difference in made in the day of those women. It really is thankless work and that is so sad.
Good luck in Tucson this weekend! You’ll do awesome.