A guest post from Robyn Larkin: I don't post often, and when I do, it's usually to share a running success because I think we all need to celebrate our successes. Today, I wanted to post to Scott. I don't know you & I may never meet you, but your story-Meg's story-found it's way to me in the Cayman Islands courtesy of a former classmate who lives in Richmond. Reading about what happened struck me in a very unexpected way--I cried for someone whom I never met, someone who lived a very different life. I am not a mother nor was I a runner. But I read about what happened & was deeply affected. Then I heard about the run for her & decided to participate. I cried the whole time, thinking about the senseless loss, you & your kids, and all who now had a Meg shaped hole in their hearts. It was a slow run, but a cleansing one. And I did it again the next day, and the next--all with Meg on my mind. Let's just say, I have since logged well over 900 miles since that day, and Meg is always part of my thoughts during the miles. I guess I continued running because it was a way that I--someone whom you possibly will never meet--can lend my support. My runs are my prayers, and I send them out to you & your family almost every day. I used to say I hate running, but as I ran today, I had an epiphany that I don't HATE it--I don't LOVE it yet, but I certainly can say I enjoy it most of the time. I feel strong and confident. And even more importantly, it has led me to 'meet' some amazing, wonderful, energetic, caring folks around the world. So I feel like you may need to know the legacy your wife is leaving--and I am a small part of that legacy, but I plan to continue sharing her spirit with others as I travel down the road of life. And I was able to this morning at a charity run where I volunteered--a woman was running her first 10K and she was about 1/4 mile from the finish. She started to walk. I jogged up to her and encouraged her, talking with her. I was so happy to share in the moment of encouraging her to finish strong in her first 10K--I'm sure it won't be her last! I felt good that a few words and minutes of my time may have given her a boost. It was a special moment for me. So sorry for the long winded post, but I just did my 10 miles I had planned to do yesterday with your group, and through it all, I kept hoping that you got what you needed out of that group run on Saturday, Scott. If you haven't guessed it, we here are your biggest fans (aside from your kids and your mom!). I am not the only one who tracked you at Boston and cried real tears when you finished. To Pamela, I also appreciate your encouragement and involvement in this group. I can't imagine what either of you go through when you read our posts, especially those where you end up providing not just encouragement but comfort to us in our own personal grief for Meg. It takes a strong, generous and amazing person to be able to help others while they themselves are suffering as well. My thoughts also wandered to what I would say if I met you; I wanted to share how Meg has touched my life in a very big way, and I hope that this post shares a bit of it with you. Sending tropical wishes to you and your family. Thank you for allowing us to carry Meg's legacy on in such a public way. You are amazing. #MegsMiles #WeRunAsOne A guest post from Shimul Ray: I first heard about Meg like so many Meg's Mile's Supporters via the Facebook page that was set-up. It was January, I had just started running again after a 2 year hiatus and on Jan. 18th when everyone was virtually running for Meg, so did I. I got on that treadmill and my goal was to dedicate 5 miles to Meg. Thinking about Meg, her family I kept going, my goal was to finish in 1 hour. I remember thinking here is a person I don't know, but like Meg, I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend and so on. I could not even imagine the heartbreak that her family was going through. I really thought that what happened to Meg was so unfair. The thought sat heavy with me for a very long time, many months to be exact. I decided, I am going to keep running every week (that is how I started) and slowly increased my miles and number of times a week and finally set a goal to run the Army Ten Miler this past October. Every run I did, 5k, 10k, the neighborhood miles , I felt that Meg's angel wings were carrying me and giving me strength. I tell people all the time about Meg's story, this group and what it has meant to me. I am mostly a silent follower on the page but have posted time to time. I feel that I "know" all these running friends by everyone sharing their story. I find myself with tears many times reading all these heartfelt notes and acts of support. It's weird because I never felt like a runner, never fast enough, never ran long enough but when you see the support for Meg and how the running community has been brought together by this one angel, it is really amazing. So thank you everyone for sharing your story every day and inspiring so many others. 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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