I hope everyone is lucky enough to have at least one person in their lifetime who allows them to shine. By the grace of God, I experienced it through a beautiful soul.

What’s more, I had the privilege to guide her on a journey, beautifully captured here, heading toward her first finish line. It seemed to be a transformative period in her life, and I, along with her friends and parents were present (check out the cheering section in the above photo) to have a front-row seat.

She exuded joy throughout the entire process: swim; bike; run.

The morning of the Solana Beach Triathlon was something, in all my years of coaching and racing, I had never experienced before. K was beyond grateful. Beaming.

She.lit.up.the.course.

Through the years, our shared love for triathlon evolved into a much deeper friendship. A sister-like affection, she was a trusted confidant. I can only hope I provided her an ounce of the comfort she provided me. She offered a lifeline: through deployments, loneliness, cancer, motherhood.

She later joined me in another less-joyful club… daughters who had lost beloved fathers to cancer. Once again, she showed grace. Through the pain, we were able to connect on a profound level. She loved her family more than anything.

Then… another blessing; years later, she became my son’s teacher. He was the new kid from a military family and was starting over. Again.

Knowing he would spend his day in HER classroom brought peace, as parents and… for him. We knew, unequivocally, he would be loved and taken care of.  She embraced him, quirks and all. In fact, she marveled in them.

Our relationship grew. Throughout this time~she became my coach.

I am eternally grateful my daughter was in her class this school year: A member of Her Dream Team. They shared a bond that will last forever.

When you are a kid, what’s more~a square peg~you need people who accept, love, and celebrate you. K was that for my kids. In fact; she was that for All her kids.

And now, our hearts are broken. The grief throughout the community is palpable.

Yet, there is also an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having had this shining light in our lives. She changed me. Us. And everyone lucky enough to be in her world.

❌⭕️❌⭕️

#runhappy #grateful #joyseeker #shine