"It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich"

"Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."
— Sarah Bernhardt

I love this quote. Whenever I need a "pick me up", this quote helps. I have it in my arsenal, but haven't seen it in awhile. It came across in an email to me this morning. Is it coincidental that it was the same day I needed to publish a blog post? I wonder. Ever since the first F.A.B. 5k, my life has been full of these happenstance instances. Almost two years ago to the day, the idea of the F.A.B. 5k was born.

In less than 3 months following Barb and Charmaine's deaths in 2010, an event that drew 350 people and raised over $15,000 for Sarah's charity of choice (The BCRF) came to fruition. Kind people offered time, money, and resources in an effort to show their love and support to Sarah's, Barb's, Charmaine's, Kelly's, and my families. Not to mention all those in similar circumstances that came out to "feel the love". Girls Scouts and Daisy troops offered to have a lemonade stand and memory wall at the finish line. The Indian Guide's head Chief asked all his little Indian Guides to come out and walk. He provided all of them with a patch for their efforts. How great is that?! Then, there's the white dove (and I am not kidding - I have witnesses) sitting on the side of the road as the four of us drove our car around the course at daybreak to put up inspirational signs and mile markers on race day. The dove sat calmly watching us as if to say, "You're doing the right thing, it will be fine". What about the storm that rolled in literally 10 minutes after we wrapped up? Not just any little storm, but one of those fierce, quick storms that makes sure you're paying attention. It held off until the perfect time. Everything in the world told us that this would not be the only F.A.B. 5k.

Last year, as we started to be concerned about whether we could have the same kind of success, companies like Wright Sock offered to help provide socks to participants. People didn't just offer to sponsor, but offered two-fold of what we were expecting. Some provided raffle prizes without being asked. Potential participants started contacting us to ask if they could form teams and raise MORE money! Someone took Sarah's story and spent hours creating a beautiful painting, and just offered it (called me up and said, "I'm doing this") as a silent auction item. The race happened to fall on what would have been Sarah's 40th birthday. Over $21,000 went to The BCRF and we had 500+ participants and over 100 volunteers.

Is it coincidental that registration opened today, in the very week that will mark the anniversary of Barb and Charmaine's passing? I swear it wasn't planned. We were supposed to open a bit earlier, but it was delayed. Or, that after a recent meeting where we discussed how we're going to continue to exceed what we've done in the last two years, a seemingly impossible feat, we get good news from two past sponsors?

Something is driving this and it isn't the four of us. Four people alone cannot do this. It takes hundreds of people. Willing, loving, and very kind people. Every time I come around a bend, something falls into place that tells me this is the right thing to do. There is an energy that drives this event. It's love, passion, kindness, the memories and spirits of Sarah, Barb, Charmaine, all of our inspirations, and others' inspirations.

This is an exciting and stressful time for me. I want to do better than the last two years. I want people to participate and volunteer. I want people to enjoy themselves. I want the momentum to continue. I want our money to be the money that causes a scientist to discover the right drugs, treatment, and cure. There are a lot of things out of our control when it comes to breast cancer. But we can create an event that's driven by positive energy of people who want to do what they can in the face of something that seems so out of control. The energy and time the four of us have spent on the F.A.B. 5k is one of the richest blessings I will ever encounter. That's why I'm doing it again. I hope you'll come be a part of the energy this year.