Life Is Fragile

Life IS Fragile.

"if only these treasures were not so fragile as they are precious and beautiful."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther

This post is very much unlike any other post I have ever penned for this blog for I was reminded last week, very abruptly if I may add, how fragile life is. So I beg your understanding and please indulge me.

At 15 years of age, Peyton was just getting started, however, in her short years she lived a full, beautiful life. At least that's the notion you get if you were to judge it by the outpouring of love and support the family has, and still is, receiving from near and far. She touched many lives. Many, many lives. Including mine.

A sudden burst of a brain vessel ended her life way to early. She did fight a great fight for some seven days, but when it was all said and done, when time came for her to go, she did it just as gracefully as she lived.

Her story has touched me in ways I have not begun to comprehend. At times, most times, I'm overwhelmed by the array of feelings and emotions that run through me. Most I have not been able to process, to understand.

I spent the last four days of her life by her side. Consoling, supporting and listening to whatever stories her parents, siblings and friends wanted to share. A word of advise when needed, but mostly the role of a sounding board was what I did. It became very apparent to me, very quickly, why I was silently summoned to her side. I accepted and I hope I successfully carried the role and responsibility extended to me.

I found out that some of her friends called her "Green Eyed Ginger Flyer". This nickname, for some reason, struck my fancy, and I will always refer to her as this. It is totally her. Green Eyes. Red Hair. Ball of Fire.

I have dedicated my entire 2014 race season to her memory; Ironman 70.3 Raleigh, Ironman Chattanooga, Chicago Marathon, The Flying Monkey Marathon and The Dopey Challenge 2015. It is my own, very small way of paying homage to a beautiful soul. I will hashtag each fitness post with #ForPeyton and #PrayForPeyton. You can follow this journey on my facebook page, here.

I don't know why things happen, the way the happen, when they happen. I do know however, that it is okay to ask tough questions. Sometimes we may get an answer, sometime we may not. And this is okay too. I also know that it is okay to be angry and disappointed. These are natural feelings that must be addressed, must be resolved. But through all this, we must continue to believe that there's a reason for everything and everything has a reason. We must believe.

My wish at this moment is for Peyton to Rest In Peace and for her parents, sisters, family and friends to find comfort in knowing that she will.

"Life is short: break some rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly and never regret anything that made you smile, anything that made you happy."