Carpe Deim!

For those who actually read this blog, I am sorry I have not been a diligent in posting. It has been a wild couple of weeks. I am going to repost something my daughter Mara wrote that will explain everything. It is from her Tumblr post. I have to admit, I don't really understand how Tumblr works. But, it is a place where she can talk about her passion for Disney. She hopes someday to work for them and I am definitely hoping her dreams do come true. Since she posted it in a public forum, I am sure it is ok to post it here.

I almost died today.

I went to NYC with my school theater group, and I had a smoothie from Jamba Juice. When I ordered what I always ordered, I specifically said: “Hi, I’m allergic to dairy, so could I have the Berry Fulfilling with NO MILK OR ANY DAIRY” I took a couple of sips and started to feel like an allergic reaction was coming on. Usually I just throw up and then it’s better, but this…this was worse. In my 16 years of having life-threatening allergies, I have never had anaphylaxis (which is a deathly reaction that closes your throat) so I assumed my tightness of breath was just asthma. But it wasn’t. 45 minutes after I drank the smoothie, I was getting worse so I ran into a Verizon Wireless Store and asked to use the bathroom, I wasn’t getting better. So I told someone to call 911 and I asked someone to help me with my Epipen. The ambulance showed up and helped me. I felt so bad for my friends who had to see me like that. When the reaction calmed down, the doctor told me that if I waited any longer, (at most: 15 minutes) I wouldn’t be here. He said that it would have been fatal. I’ve never experienced that before. Ever. And now I’m just really overwhelmed at the thought of almost dying because what would I have done? I wouldn’t get to see Nathan (my brother) or my Mommy again, let alone all of my friends. My friends. My friends are my heroes today. They saved my life. And when I got out of the hospital, they bombarded me with 30 Disney toys and trinkets. The Disney Store in Times Square was what I was most excited about, besides seeing Daniel Radcliffe in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” (which my friends bought me a shirt from since I missed the show) I love them so much. <3 I just can’t handle the fact that I almost died today. (http://maradreamsofdisney.tumblr.com/post/5952347375).

The good news is that I was with them in New York and was able to ride to the hospital with her and be there for her. We did spend over 6 hours in the Pediatric Emergency Room at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. Not a lot of fun. The good news is, she is fully recovered. It took a couple of days for me to get back to normal. I obviously had to remain calm through the whole ordeal. All those hours of Boy Scout training sure came in handy. But, I have to admit I felt helpless. I am so grateful to Danny Rodriguez, Assistant Manager at the Verizon Wireless store at 125 W. 42nd St. I am sure his actions saved Mara's life that day.

As I rode home on the bus, I could not help but think about the famous Horace quote, "Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.” I intend to seize the day every day because I know the sands in my hour glass are running low.

May 15 – 6.30 miles (54:38, 8:40 pace)
May 16 – 6.20 miles (54:52, 9:00 pace)
May 17 – 3.50 miles (28:01, 8:00 pace) – Speed Work
May 19 – 6.10 miles (51:10, 8:23 pace) – Tempo Run
May 20 – 6.10 miles (53:16, 8:44 pace)
May 23 – 6.10 miles (55:10, 9:03 pace)
May 28 – 6.20 miles (54:06, 8:43 pace)
May 29 – 8.20 miles (1:13:15, 8:56 pace)
May 30 – 6.20 miles (55:02, 9:02 pace)
May 31 – 3.50 miles (27:28, 7:51 pace) – Speed Work
Jun. 2 – 6.20 miles (50:10, 8:05 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun. 3 – 6.50 miles (56:10, 8:39 pace)
Jun. 4 – 10.10 miles (1:29:07, 8:50 pace)

Total Miles: 81.2 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 648.5 miles