Here in Seattle it is almost time for the Seattle Marathon--you know, that main marathon they do here every year before having started the Rock 'n Roll Marathon towards the south. The Seattle Marathon has been going on for a number of years, begins and ends at the Seattle Center and features such great scenery as running along Lake Washington.
What does this have to do with grief? Many people in these races run for a cause, usually in memory of someone. Team in Training runs for lymphoma research. Susan G. Komen runners raise money for breast cancer. I am even raising money this year for the Melanoma Research Foundation. Melanoma Skin Cancer was the cancer that my dad died had. Many other organizations raise money for their cause.
Many of these runners sport a T-Shirt with something like "In memory of Sally 12-5-77 to 3-5-08" or celebrating that they or someone else has survived that particular cancer. It's a really great feeling to see these avid athletes running for the memories of people they loved.
Is it a good thing to revisit memories like that? If that memory is a catalyst for good (such as raising money for cancer research), then it is perfectly fine. Sometimes going through the tragedy of losing a loved one can be a great catalyst for doing wonderful for themselves or others. Many may not have considered doing something like it before.
Consider running or walking in memory of your loved one, whether raising money or not.
Or simply come down and cheer on the race participants doing amazing things whether it’s simply a personal goal or they are using the race to remember their loved ones.
If you go:
Amica Seattle Marathon
Race begins 7:15am at the Seattle Center
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Race Registration Closes November 18, 2009
Start and Finish are at the Seattle Center
For other articles on grieving, click here.
Comments