Better Late Than Never

Check out this adorable post I wrote for the blog at iAcquire in September. It has pictures, so you know it's good!

Going Home

One year ago, today, my life changed completely. That day was the irrevocable end of my marriage, the day I realized things were never going to be okay and the day I took off my wedding rings.

It's just now as I'm on a bus in the Holland tunnel that I realized what today was and what it meant. I'm still not a perfect person or a perfect partner but over the last 365 days I've discovered so much about myself.

I'm okay. I can take care of myself and I can live with teenagers. I can work retail or restaurants but I'm far happier being creative.

I've had so much fun - at times perhaps a little too much - and I've met amazing new people. I'm not afraid to tell people off when I deserve better than they're offering.

I started playing an instrument and (unlike middle school) I practice of my own volition.

As I look back I think, in a lot of ways, I grew up. And at the same I got back a youthful joie de vivre that I'd misplaced along the way.

Now...I need a NY bagel, some starbucks and to stop typing on my phone and start soaking on the sights!

Cheers,
Meaghan

I Would Walk 500 Miles...

...or, to be more accurate, 39.2 miles. Over two days through the streets of New York City.

No, there's not a transit strike. Yes, this is for a cause. And, yes, I will be asking you for money. But you, dear reader, will get something back in return.

What?

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a two-day event held in various cities across the United States throughout the year. I'll be walking a full marathon on October 20th and a half marathon on October 21st. I'm not worried about posting a good time -- hell, they don't even close streets for us -- I'm concerned with raising money for an amazing cause and, as importantly, raising awareness.

Why?

Why not? On a very basic level: breast cancer is bad and research is good. On a personal level: I've got a pretty personal beef with cancer that makes this really important to me.

My personal story, about going through chemo with my amazing aunt, will take up a whole blog post of its own. Suffice it to say I do not do this lightly. I never want another family to experience what our family has gone through -- and our story ends quite happily.

Who?

My team will be made up of friends and family. I am privileged to walk alongside my mom (who was there with me when my aunt's head was shaved) and my amazing survivor of an aunt, Karen. In fact, all four of the girls in my mom's immediate family are participating.

I can't tell you how much I look forward to being surrounded by people who are so fiercely dedicated to helping people they've never met and will never meet.

What's in it for me?

Obviously there are the warm fuzzies that come with doing something good. There's also good karma (if you believe in that) to be gleaned.

Additionally, when someone you know and love is diagnosed with breast cancer*, you will know that you have already contributed to potentially life-saving research.

If you didn't click on the link above go ahead and click here to donate and help save lives!


*There is a near guarantee that this will happen to you in your life. According to the Avon Walk website a woman has a "1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime" and "every 13 minutes, a life is lost breast to cancer."