Guest post from Kimberly Caldwell: Like so many MegsMiles supporters, I did not know Meg. I feel that we may have had the opportunity to meet if I had lived in Richmond longer. Since I am still connected to the running community in Richmond, I heard of Megs passing the day it happened. Such shock and disbelief. I had been meaning to get back to running after having a C-section December 11 and the Saturday designated to run for Meg seemed like a little extra incentive to get back out there. It also made me want to get back to Richmond and run the Ukrops 10k in my Meg shirt in supprot of her family. Like so many, I wondered what made her story affect me and so many people and travel so far. Was is that she was a mother? A great runner? I truly believe it was her joy and her spirit. A joy that only comes from knowing Jesus as her savior. Hearing all of the stories from people who knew her personally she seemed to radiate that joy. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet her. What her story has done for me, besides getting me back out there running, is getting me back to praying more often. How can I not pray every time I am reminded of Meg? Prayers for her family, her children, the days/months/years ahead. Prayer for my own family and trying to not take time for granted. Cherishing time with my young daughter. So Lord, I pray for Scott, the kids, Pam and the rest of the Menzies and Cross families. I pray that you and Meg will wrap them in your arms. That they may feel your presence. These days must be unimaginably difficult. I pray that they may have a few breaths that come a little easier. Day by day. In the name of Jesus Christ our savior. Amen. And I will continue to run. Guest post from Cyndi Trombley: On January 18, 2014 - I ran my most important mile. It wasn't my fastest and it wasn't my best but it was by far the most important mile I'd ever run. I braved the cold, reacquainted with my old running sneakers and hit the snowy trail. I ran with my husband, but over 56,000 other runners from all over the world joined us. It was a virtual run for a woman I'd never met. It was to honor Meg Menzies. I wasn't always a runner. To be honest, I'd be lying if I said I'd ever experienced the elusive "runners high". But I get out there when I need to, for the most part. I started running when I was 39, because I wanted to run the Rocky Steps in Philly on my 40th Birthday. Who lives just outside of Philly their whole life and never runs the Rocky Steps? Exactly. So I started running (and, yes I spent my 40th birthday with Rocky). As often as I started, I stopped. My running journey became one of running for a few months, then hibernating for a few months. On January 13th, 2014: Meg Menzies, a young mother of 3, was killed by a driver under the influence while she was on her morning training run with her husband, Scott. The running community rallied behind this family and on January 18, 2014 - 56, 000 runners ran to honor her memory. I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Menzies when my husband surprised me by taking me to her Memorial in Ashland Virginia. Despite what has happened to him, his family, his wife - he remains a grateful man. He thanked ME for running for Meg, can you imagine? On January 18, 2014, I ran my most important mile for Meg Menzies and she's been with me every mile since. Guest post from Debbie Edwards: "...To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve —to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3 For me, this advent season, this verse has echoed through my head. God's ability to use tragedy for His purposes and our good overwhelms me. Each of us have been drawn to this story, this family, this remarkable woman in our own way and for our own reasons. I have related so much to Pam Cross, Meg's mom. I am a mother of a daughter who started me on my running journey almost 7 years ago. Like Pam, I am a grandmother to the precious children of my daughter. I cannot imagine a world without their mother. Yet, God has used this tragic event to bring together an amazing support group for all of us as we do life together. The faith of this family and their witness to the world draws us closer to God and each other. We have watched as new friendships have formed, stories shared, gifts (the DD beanie movement) given. God has shown us beauty in each other and our achievements, joy in our relationships and our runs, garments of praise as all over the world we honor Meg's memory in our Meg shirts. While my daughter motivated me to become a runner at age 47, Pam's daughter inspired me to do something I never thought possible a year ago (much less 10 years ago). I completed my first marathon in November with so many of you. We are standing as oaks of righteousness, a planting of The Lord, displaying His splendor. 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.
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