My hero!

Today was the CF Climb for Life here in Dallas, in which we climbed the stairs of the Bank of America tower and raised donations to benefit CFF. There I met up with the leader of our team, Beth, whose son, John Goldberg, died one year ago today, she showed up along with her family to support her and our team, which was called, appropriately: For the Love of John.

It was also a family affair for me. Holly was there, determined to climb, along with her husband, John, and their nine-year-old daughter Murren. Holly decided that she wanted to try to climb the whole way - 70 stories. I was hoping to make it 23, which was the first official stop. She left with a big smile on her face, accompanied by Murren. John left later with those planning to go to the 42 floor, and I was last.

When I arrived, huffing and puffing, to the 23rd floor, I was taken, via elevator, to the 70th floor to await the others and join in the after-party. I met up with John and we both kept looking for Holly and Murren. Finally, another member of our "For the Love of John" team found me (It happened to be the sister of John for whom our team is named.) and told me that she had met up with Holly and Murren on the 64th floor. They were going to make it!

When I heard that, I elbowed my way (as politely as possible) to the front of the welcoming group, so I would be the first to see her. I didn't have to wait long before she came through the door, triumphant, but emotional to be The One to accomplish it. We fell on each other and cried together. She is truly amazing. None of us, including her, ever thought she could make it all the way, yet there she was.

That determination that God gave her is what has kept her going through some very tough times in her life and will stand her in good stead in the future. May I just say, she's my hero!