Inspiration on my shoulders

Schroeder. Scott. Carrie's big brother. My fondest memories are when Scott went by "Troy."

Scott is almost 6 years older than me. There were times when I hated him... like when he flung Carrie and I around like rag dolls telling us to "toughen up." There were times when I had a childish crush on him as he and his friends partied at the bonfire behind our house. And the rest of the time I loved him like a big brother.

Scott is my daily inspiration as I continue this journey of training for a triathlon. He has faced the big bad wolf twice in his life. Once when he was 18 and battled Hodgkin's disease. And now more than twenty years later he still bravely faces the wolf even as it has left cancer in his lung, brain and now spinal cord.

I have no excuses. Scott continued his bicycle riding passion after strong and experimental chemo doses. And Scott is still laughing and smiling at life even as he receives hospice care today.

What you do today is important because you exchange a day of your life for it.

I gladly exchange this day for another swim. Another run. Another bike ride. Because I can. Because God gave me my husband back. Because when I cross that finish line in June Scott will be riding on my shoulders...