Running takes a holiday

I was scheduled to do 10 miles today. When I woke up I learned that my husband's cousin, Kurt, had passed away at 6 this morning. Kurt was just a few days shy of his 32nd birthday. When he was born, doctors told his parents he wouldn't live very long. I don't know the full extent or the names of the things that were wrong with him... I just know that he was never able to exert himself too much and as a young adult, he underwent 2 heart & lung transplants. Despite all of his physical ailments, Kurt soared academically, attended Carnegie Mellon, and taught high school science for several years. His robotics team competed in major tournaments.

The last couple of years he was unable to continue working because his immune system was so poor. More recently, doctors discovered cancer. Here are his mom's FB posts from last night and this morning:

"Just want you all to know Kurt has decided to no longer try to fight the lymphoma. Instead he has chosen to abandon therapy for end of life care. He remains at Mass General, resting pain free. We will remain with him. We ask for loving, peaceful thoughts and prayers...."

"At 6AM Kurt passed peacefully, finishing his battle with his life long illness and has begun his journey on the other side."

Kurt was selected to carry the Olympic Torch before the 2002 Winter Games.

The K. Giesslers: Kristen, Kurt, Karen & Kenny

His incredible parents and sister have walked this journey with him for over 3 decades and my heart just breaks for them. I cannot fathom what they are going through.

Hug 'em if you got 'em, people.

Needless to say, squeezing in 10 miles seemed completely unneccesary. Instead of handing the baby over to Scott at camp, I took him for a "quick" (hilly) four-miler. Double digits another day.