An attitude of gratitude: Mile 3

Hello again, and welcome to tonight's attitude of gratitude post! By mile 3, I should be well warmed up and hitting my stride for the race, probably looking for some water to drink, and generally feeling right at home out there on the course.

Speaking of home, tonight, I want to thank everyone who donated from my neighborhood--friends and neighbors who have seen me running day in and day out, at the gym and on the streets.

First, there's Seth. He lived across the street from us for quite a while but no longer does. I miss him. He had a large fish collection and introduced me to Magic, a card game that can be a very expensive hobby if you want it to be. My dogs have always thought he was the bee's knees.

Next, we have Walt and Nancy. They live a couple houses up the street, and they go to the same gym I do, so they have seen me clicking off my umpteen laps around the track on numerous occasions and always say something nice and encouraging. Nancy also has this wonderful laugh and is not afraid to use it! They get super extra bonus points for mailing me a contribution all the way from Florida while they were on vacation.

In no particular order, next we have Larry and Karen. They have an adorable dog named Luna, so Larry and I often get the chance to chat while we are both walking our dogs. They both have doctorates (I live on a very well-educated street), and Larry is a retired college dean. They are the nicest neighbors you could ever ask for, and I only got the donation from Walt and Nancy because Larry forwarded my fundraising letter for me. Like I said, good neighbors.

Next, my yoga teacher and city councilwoman Heidi was very kind and made a donation. She lost her first husband to leukemia and began practicing yoga to cope with her grief. Now she owns a thriving yoga center and is also my representative to City Council.

I met my next donor while having lunch at the bakery downtown that I love so much. We just started chatting and ended up talking for an hour, and I'd like to think that as a result of our conversation, the wheels were set in motion for him to rent a nearby storefront for a Habitat for Humanity venture. I wanted to give him my business card, but the only cards I had on me that day were my fundraiser cards, so I sheepishly gave him one and said, "But I'm NOT asking for money!" He sent some anyway. Thank you, Mr. Davidson.

Finally, my mother is such a wonderful person that she even inspires her friends to donate to me! My mom's friend Helene mailed me a check all the way from Massachusetts to support the cause. She's not exactly a neighbor, but if she lived here in town, I'm sure we'd get along like a house on fire.

Thank you, friends and neighbors, and I will think warm fuzzy thoughts about each of you as I groove on through Mile 3!