A Megsmiles Advent - December 22

A guest post from Lisa Bryant:

Running with an angel.

I have known Scott for 8 years, but I only had the pleasure of meeting Meg, once, at the gym for a brief second while picking up our kids from child watch. But you see, knowing Scott meant knowing Meg. Her heart, spirit & love all shine very brightly in Scott's eyes & smile. 

I was working the day Meg was struck. I took the initial 911 call from a passerby. It was just another call, because it has to be in order to disconnect from the tragedy of it all, until another dispatcher could be heard across the room saying, "It's Scott's wife..." Then it hit. Wait a second, I know them. I know their kids. Meg was struck not 2 minutes away from my office. Knowing they were there, so close, but I couldn't leave to go help was excruciating... Knowing my friend was in this horrible place, watching his beautiful wife suffer, brought on the tears. Tears that did not stop when the next phone call came in. Someone else needed help and I had to be there for him/her. The day went by like a blur. Waiting for updates, then getting the news that Meg had passed - there are no words for that experience… 

I have always wanted to be a runner, but I never started out properly, and would fail. I found a plan that worked for me & FINALLY I became a runner in Oct 2013. I ran my first 5k on Thanksgiving 2013. I ran another 5k, on the virtual run, the Sat after Meg passed - I PR'd on that run. I ran the Monument Ave 10k, without stopping, for the first time! I ran the Hokie 1/2 in Oct 2014, my very first!! I ran with my heart, not my legs, on all those runs because I had Meg in my heart. I have continued to run for me, for Meg, for Scott, for the beautiful babies who lost their mom, for Pam & Wirt, for Gale. I run with, & for, my daughter, to set a good example & to show her how much anyone can achieve if they set their mind to something. I run happy, I run mad & I run sad. I run when I'm tired. I run to keep myself sane. I run to clear my mind, but it always comes back to Meg. Keeping her spirit alive. Showing others the love that Meg would. Helping her finish her work. I am grateful for the friendships that I have gained from this senseless tragedy. I wish they had come about in a different fashion, but I am grateful none the less. I am mostly grateful for Meg's love that continues to shine down from the Heavens, like golden rays of light.

A guest post from Julie Raftery:

I heard about Meg and ran for her that first Saturday after her death and have since followed all the inspiring stories surrounding Meg's Miles. Being a mother of five, wife and runner, her story impacted me deeply, even though I didn't know her. I haven't been one to post much, just mostly follow and listen and see how her life and death has become such an inspiration to others. Lives changed. So my story of change is because of Meg, but through Scott. 

I think it was right after he ran the Boston Marathon. He was happy for all the running stories of changed lives, but right after the marathon he wrote, if you really want to honor Meg, go to church this weekend. That really hit me hard. I had the running part down easy, but had strayed away from church. Everyone's story is different why they don't go to church. Here's my story! We went to an awesome church, loved it and very much a part of our everyday lives. Then we moved from Ohio to North Carolina in June, 2013. Everything I knew and loved was different. To say I struggled was an understatement. 

God placed people in my life, runners that helped me get through the anxiety and depression. We trained and ran several races together. Over the course of the last year, things got better. But, the church piece was still a big chunk missing. I knew it, but it was easy to just avoid it. My kids were definitely missing our church. Every Sunday, they would say, why don't we ever go to church anymore? Then I saw Scott's note on facebook after the marathon. That weekend we went to a church. Over the course of 7 months, we tried many different churches. We finally found a church we all love.

My reason for writing all this is first to thank Scott. Thank you for being a brave husband and father and going through something no one should ever have to face. And through it all, remained steadfast in your faith in God. Thank you for writing that note asking everyone to go to church. 

My second reason for writing this is encourage everyone again, to go to church. Christmas is coming and many churches have beautiful Christmas Eve services. I know they will be glad you came and welcome you with open arms no matter what the reason you haven't gone to church. Whatever it is; never been, haven't been since childhood, not too sure about faith in God, missing an old church: just go! It might take you less than 7 months to find a church that fits you, might take you more, but my hope for all of you is that you'll try. 

My favorite part of my Meg's Miles shirt is the back- Because Meg ran for Him. May the Cross and Menzies families continue to be surrounded by so much love and know that through Meg's death, so many lives have been changed. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas.