Inspiration Showcase: Episode 6 No Better Christmas Gift

Inspiration. Dedication. 

Motivation. Perseverance. 

Kindness. Willpower. 

Innovation. 

Determination. 

Bravery. 

Human Spirit. 

Even before starting this series, I found an incredible story, about which I posted here, last June. I jokingly asked for runners and bloggers to run a mile for me on National Running Day since I was injured and couldn't participate myself. Within a few days, I found out that my request wasn't a first, and was on such a small scale and insignificant when compared to the story I came across in Sports Illustrated. The story of Vivian Bales, a mother who hated running, but eventually started with her son Brian. 

In January 2009, Brian in the Army was deployed to Iraq. Missing her son, she turned to running, and figured out the required mileage to run to Brian.... 6436 miles!  The running community, as amazing as it is, stepped up and starting donating miles.  Two days ago, I received this incredible email, which flooded my eyes with tears...


Greetings family, friends and fellow runners,

After many, many days of travel, and about 15 hours of flight, Brian's plane
has landed in the United States!  He is safely home from Iraq!  The longest
year of my life is over, and I can finally breathe again.  He'll be home in
a few days, to be with us for Christmas!

When I started this journey, my goal was to run 6,436 miles - the distance
from my home to where Brian was stationed in Iraq.  I knew it was a lofty
goal, and I'd have to work hard to acheive it.  I never imagined, in all my
dreams, that people like you would bond together to help me - a person you
didn't even know.  With all of your support, we reached 179,982 miles!!!
Yep, you read it right, one hundred seventy nine thousand nine hundred and
eighty two miles!  We've had 45 states and 6 other countries running with us
to 'bring Brian home' - and we did it!  We've had individual
runners/walkers/bikers/skaters on our team as well as daycares, elementary
school classes, high school track teams, and large corporations that have
helped.  It's people like you that make this country strong and proud!
You've helped this mother stay connected to, and feel closer to her son so
very far away.

I wanted to thank all of you for the overwhelming support that you've given
to Brian and I over the long year of his deployment.  I don't know how I
would've made it through on my own.  The donated miles, the birthday cards,
the gifts, the emails, the thoughts and prayers that you've sent warmed my
heart and gave me hope through the darkest of days.  There are so many of
you that have given your time and deligently reported your miles every week
to help keep me focused on the end result.  You kept my mind from thinking
about the many horrors of war, and the danger that he was in every day.  You
kept my mind clearer, and my heart stronger. And for this, I cannot express
enough my thanks.

We'll continue to accept miles, but keep an eye on our website,
www.milesforbrian.com  for updates. Thank you for your continued support of
our soldiers overseas!  With God's help, they'll all come home soon.

~signed,
the happiest mother on the earth right now, Vivian



I cannot even begin to imagine the wonderful Christmas that this family will now have, and it brings me much joy to update this story, especially at this time of year... Merry Christmas to you and yours.