1,000 Cranes

Fun run, Cranes, an Cancer survivors:  How are they connected?!

Several months back my boot camp instructor Paul had mentioned to me that he was heading up a 5K/10K fun run in Plano, IL in April 2013.  My other boot campers and I decided that we would sign up for the 10K (this is what peer pressure does to a girl).  Paul told us that the proceeds from the event will go to the "1,000 Cranes Retreat for Cancer Survivors".  I made a mental note at the time to research the origins of 1,000 cranes, but like most of my mental notes this note got lost in the junk drawer of my mind somewhere between the tape dispensers, post-it notes and all in one screwdriver.

This Christmas I was reminded of the "1,000 cranes" when my nephew Collin handed me a paper crane that he had folded and explained to me that he learned about a girl who had cancer and her goal was to fold 1,000 crane because it would make her well. 

So tonight I looked into the legend of the 1,000 cranes and this is what I discovered (from several sources and sorry for not citing them, but this is a blog not a paper):

~It is legend that a crane lives up to 1,000 years and throughout Asia this bird is a symbol of hope, happiness, and eternal youth.  From that came the idea that if you fold 1,000 origami cranes, one for each year of a cranes life, a crane will visit you and grant you a wish.  Shortly after the end of World War II there was a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki who was diagnosed with leukemia after being exposed to radiation after the bombing of Hiroshima.  Sadako became determined to fold 1,000 cranes in hopes of recovering good health, happiness, and a world of eternal peace.  She completed 644 before she died, her classmates folded the remaining 356 to honor her.~

So how does this all tie in?  Well the 1,000 Cranes Retreat for Cancer Survivors takes the hope that the cranes represent and gives those in attendance some rest for their soul.  By participating in an event like the Plano Baloney Fun Run you get to be part of their opportunity and in my opinion (which is almost never, but usually correct) this is good for your soul too. If you are interested in the race you can look up Plano Baloney Fun Run on Facebook or go to active.com to sign up.

I am declaring that this year be the year of 1,000 cranes! 

Find a way to "fold some cranes" for people in your life :)

Crane made by Collin Beduhn 

Pink Highlights

This past weekend my family celebrated our Christmas.  For the past few years my Dad has had a drawing for $100.  If your name is chosen you have the next year to spend the $100 on any person or cause that you think needs it.  I am still waiting for the year that my name is drawn :)
This past year my sister Chelsea had the honor of choosing the home for the money. This is the story that the $100 took.

~My sister explains that this fall she was getting her hair cut at a salon in Muscatine, IA (where she now lives).  Her stylist was finishing up with a customer who looked to be about 6 years old and she had beautiful brown hair.  She was telling the stylist that she loved her new hair cut and she thought her sister would be very jealous. 

Just before Christmas my sister visited the same salon for a trim.  Chelsea noticed that her stylist was putting pink highlights in a little girl's hair.  As she sat there she realized that it was same girl that was there the last time Chelsea had her hair cut.  In her mind Chelsea questioned why a girl so young would be getting highlights.  When the girl was finished getting her hair done she came and sat on the couch next to Chelsea.  The girl looked at Chelsea and said, "My mom said that I could get pink highlights in my hair before it all falls out." (Talk about a humbling moment)

Following that appointment Chelsea was heading out of town to see some friends from college and on her way out of town she stopped by a gas station.  When she was checking out she noticed a donation can sitting by the register.  On the can was a picture of a six year old girl name Riley who has brain cancer the same girl who just had touches of pink added to her hair.  There was a benefit planned in the month of January for her.

So it was destined that the money would go to Riley and her pink highlights. ~

As my sister told this story to us my eyes filled up with tears. Chelsea adds that on the facebook page regarding Riley there is a picture of the little girl with a smile and the absence of those pink highlights and beautiful brown hair. 

 For me this story isn't about Chelsea being generous to a girl she doesn't know.  This story is about being humbled.  I am guilty about making snap judgments of people all the time.  Our purpose isn't to judge, but to find out the story.  It is amazing how much difference a story can make.