Erma Bombeck, my favorite author and literary muse wrote this check list as a reflection on life:

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.

Let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us.

Let’s think about what God HAS blessed us with.

And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by.

We only have one shot at this and then it’s gone.

With that as my guide, I’m embarking on a new endeavor. I’ve run half this country, reconnected with some amazing people and made lifelong friends (building and strengthening friendships is one of my goals and is a bi-product of building Spiritual Muscle.)

Now, I have the opportunity to run Europe for EU Parkinsons. (European Parkinsons Disease Association).

And I’m going.

I’m running as many of the partnering countries as I can in 6 months. Then i’ll head back to run more of OUR precious country.

I’m a little scared. A little excited. A little unsure of how it will play out with my toddler in tow and languages I don’t know. I will miss my friends, neighbors, my family, my little PR firm, my big US adventures and my DC family.

To Dara, my partner in business and partner in crime, I will miss you the most.

To Will, my logistics coordinator, my prayer partner, my spiritual muscleman, I will miss you the most.

To the original Morgan aka “Aunt Mimi” my pseudo sister, my coast to coast roommate, my dog-chaser, kid-encourager, everything do-er, I will miss you the most. (And to her mother who helped get a toddler, a dog, a dog cage, a stroller and 9 bags through DC, thank you! It was a total shit-show.)

I hope you will join me on this endeavor to Run to Win – to encourage those in other countries struggling with Parkinsons to have Hope and feel lifted up. And if you find yourself at a Polish pottery market, find me on Tango or whatsap or Facebook and let’s run or drink or celebrate together. Let’s stay connected.

Life is short. We have to take risks. We all get paralyzed by fear. Break out of the rut and routine with me. Change your job, your diet, take the stairs. Dump the joy-stealers, the nay-sayers, the people who hold you back. Wear the “fancy” clothes at noon on a Tuesday. Break out the good china, drink out of the crystal glasses that you inherited from Grandma. Use the guest towels. Go big!

And run to win. Every day, all the time.

As Erma said, “Life is to short to let it pass you by.” So  I’m leaving….. Right Now…..