A Megsmiles Advent - December 9

Guest post from Tracy Lowrance:

I didn't know Meg, but I know many who did. After reading about her tragic death and her beautiful life, running has taken on new meaning for me. The sense of community that has been created through Meg's Miles supporters on Facebook has brought me to tears on more than one occasion. Even though I don't know the Cross or Menzies families, I think of them often and wonder how they are doing. I pay attention more now to the things that I overlooked before, and I appreciate what running has done for me all these years - and the fact that I can run.

Guest post from Jenny Richie:

I live in the same town where Meg and Scott started their family. A matter of fact, their first house was a few down from my husband's and mine. We would often see Meg out running or walking with the kids. She was always so kind to us. I remember seeing her run and think "wow I wish I had that dedication." 

In the wake of her death I have found it. I run in her honor and for her family. I think of her family every day and I strive to help those in need. You see, I work at the local school and when people ask "how many children I have, I tell them 400." I know one day I will no longer walk or run these roads but I can only hope that I will have been able to touch one child's life - as they are our future. I love the way all the runners have come together as a family through social media and the support that has been pouring out to Meg's loved ones. 

I will run Meg strong during my first marathon (never thought I would say that) in November right here in Richmond

Guest post from Lynette Adams:

I remember the day I read about Meg's story. I was sitting in my kitchen, getting breakfast ready for my three kids, and once I got them off to school, planning to go for a run. I read the story and immediately started crying. I thought, that could have been me out there leaving three kids behind. My heart was broken for the loss of Meg and for her family. 

I couldn't quite explain why her story affected me so much. The next week, I could not get Meg's story off of my mind. I found myself on the trail running, stopping, crying for Meg and her family. Crying for her sweet children, who are the same gender and close to the same age as my three children. Then Brooke planned the virtual run to honor Meg. I was very excited to participate in this race to honor this amazing woman who I had never met. I ran on that day for Meg and her family, and once again was brought to tears by the loss of her. I didn't even know her, but the loss of Meg hit me to the core. I felt so sad, and couldn't understand why someone like her was taken from us. 

I kept following Meg's page and started finding some peace, love, comfort and solace in reading the inspiring posts people were writing about their running adventures, and all running in honor of Meg! I began being more aware on my runs, appreciating the scenery, the quiet, the sound of my feet hitting the ground. I became more grateful for each step I was taking on the trail. It was so beautiful. 

I followed Scott's journey to Boston, and cheered him on every step of the way. I knew that race was so hard for him, running in Meg's place, wanting to run that race to "feel Meg with him". I was crying when he finished. Meg's beautiful shoe tree memorial stuck with me as well. So many people went to honor this beautiful person, Meg, by hanging their running shoes. 

Why are we all so affected by this story? Maybe because she reminds us of ourselves. Maybe she reminds us of who we want to become. Maybe she inspires us to start running for the first time. Maybe she inspires us to be better runners if we are already on the running journey. Maybe she inspires us to bring God into our lives. Maybe Meg inspires us to be a better mother, daughter, friend or wife. Meg has done all of those things for me. 

I am so grateful for the friendships I have made through this running community, and I'm grateful for Meg.

Has your life been impacted by the death of Meg Menzies. Please share your story. 

Since January, thousands of lives have been impacted by the death of Meg Menzies. Many of us have been overwhelmed with sadness. But many of us have also found love and hope and encouragement at a time we needed it most. As we've learned more about who Meg was and accepted the call to share her legacy with the world, the stories of our lives have been forever changed. And we've seen lives around us change. 

If your life has been impacted by Meg's death, I invite you to share your story at the link below. It's my hope our stories will bring comfort and maybe an occasional smile to the Menzies and Cross families who greatly miss Meg, especially so over this holiday season.

Submit your story here.