November 8, 2010

Jess She Did

I was going to write about the virtues of cooking with beer. But that post will just have to wait. Because yesterday, my super friend Natalie ran her first marathon, raising an outstanding $10,000 for Lupus research. So yes, we can talk about hops another time.

While this post doesn’t have much to do with low sodium food (other than perhaps the fact that Natalie had quite a large, cheesy pasta dinner the night before the race), it does have a lot to do with me (hello!) and the disease that led me to writing this blog (thank you very much).

I think it is safe to say that I approach my low sodium needs without apologies, without fear, and without limits. But I have realized that, at least lately, when it comes to my disease, I have not been as daring.

Seven years ago, my life not only changed, it was almost lost. And the fact that unexpected lightening struck me once didn’t leave me feeling safer, but more scared that it could strike again. At any time.

Obviously, this fear doesn’t keep me from doing much. I work. I travel. I play. But lately, I do it with trepidation and sometimes insecurity, unsure if my health will hold up or if my relationships will stay strong. Which frankly, is not much way to live life at all. Especially a life that you were given a second chance at.

So that leads me to New York and Natalie and her 26 miles. As she raced for a cure this weekend, I finally slowed down with my disease. With wonderful people like Natalie – and the many researchers, doctors, and organizations searching for answers – I’m sure there will be a miracle on the market in the near future. But in the meantime, I have Lupus and all of its fun mysteries, aches, and pains, and Natalie reminded me that I also have wonderful people around me who aren’t going to let that get in my way.

Together, we will continue to do whatever we can to keep me (and each other) safe and healthy. And beyond that, we will continue to do crazy things, like take a month off of work to travel, stay out all night dancing, eat ice cream before our low sodium veggies, and of course, run for four hours straight.

So thank you, Natalie, for legitimizing this silly thing I live with everyday and for reminding me that if I can keep my low sodium belly feeling its fullest, I can live my life to the fullest as well.

And for those of you who still want some brew-haha, know that she refreshed herself with a cool drink as soon as she was done. Oh, and she’s in the NYTimes today too. What a rockstar.

Live on.

Dan Cabrera November 8, 2010 at 6:15 am

Needless to say, your witty way with words, and the sentiments that you express in this post are an inspiration. Given that you are expressing inspiration derived from your friend, Jess, the marathoner, and using it to reflect on your life and how you actively choose to live it, making YOU the locus of control, and not your disease, well, let’s just say it’s “inspiring”. Thanks for your post and keep up the good words.

And, congratulations to your friend for not only running the race (and finishing) but for raising funds and consciousness about Lupus and how to live fully and actively, in spite of that uninvited running mate.

DC

shoshana November 8, 2010 at 6:27 am

What a great cause (mine too)! Thanks to your friend for running, and thanks to you for writing about it!

Katrina Lake November 8, 2010 at 7:29 am

Jess and Natalie, you ladies are inspiring and I thank my lucky rollerblades to have you both in my life. It was amazing to see / be part of this, thank you!
xoxo

Magdalena CAbrera November 8, 2010 at 7:33 am

Can some one please pass me a tissue? I love you, Yessica, hija maravillosa mia.

Joann November 8, 2010 at 1:32 pm

OMG…what an inspiration…both of you! Jess, you’re my hero…thanks for the reminder to live life fully each day…I’m trying to live up to the example you set!
XOXOXO

Dary November 8, 2010 at 1:41 pm

Awesome post Jess, and congrats Natty! Love you both.

thedailydish November 16, 2010 at 7:46 am

OOOOH she’s drinking a Yuengling! I am TOO JEALOUS!

PS: CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: