The Cat in the Hat

Ok. So I'm tired of reading all of these heartfelt blogs and crying! My eyes can't take much more! So here it is 5 days to countdown and I'm looking at my last blog. What to write about?

Today, I will write about my white "TITANS" sun visor. Why you ask? Let's just say that both I and it have a lot in common.......

It was exactly around this time last year (Labor Day, 2006) that I was walking on the shore of Kentucky lake by my in-law's lake house. I happened upon this sun visor lying there on the shore. Like me this sun visor had "washed up" and was of no use to anybody. It was just lying there, feeling hopeless and worthless. I had just turned 40 and in the fashion as one who has a mid-life crisis would do. I looked in the mirror and asked, "Who are you? What are you doing with your life?"

I pick up this sun visor and examine it. It used to be a really good visor. Probably came from good stock. Doesn't seem broken or torn anywhere. I think it can be saved.

I take it back to the lake house, put it in the dish washer, and what do ya know? It comes out looking brand new! I try it on. It's a perfect fit. It has new life!!

I get back to Madison and decide during this mid life crisis, that I'm either going to purchase a convertible corvette or get back in shape. My wife being the bookkeeper that she is agreed upon the latter. So off we run....me and my new sun visor. Our motto is just like a traffic sign: New Life Ahead!! I begin to feel better both physically and mentally. My sun visor is still with me, mile after mile.

Fast forward to 2007. Marathon Makeover! 26.2! All of the training and sweating has begun to break down the sun visor and the runner wearing it. But the visor never loses hope that tomorrow may be it's last run so it better act right and keep looking good today. I take my sharpie and write on it ( we're friends now, so it was ok.....) I write things to remind the visor and myself what we are doing. I put, "I am a Marathoner!" and Chicago-Oct. 7, 2007 and "No Reserves! No Retreats! No Regrets". The visor thinks it's cool now that it has been tattooed.

So on Sunday, Me and that ole ragged sun visor are going to do the biggest run of our lives. I'm running for my dad, who was tragically taken from me in December, 2004 by a bullet that was meant for someone else at the age of 59. But before he was murdered, he had several heart attacks and cardiac related problems. That was the reason I became a nurse....to help him. And more specifically, a cardiac nurse (until the move to Nissan) to understand his condition. Thus the reason for running. I didn't want the same problems as my dad. But you know what? My dad is Heaven praising God with the angels and wouldn't dream of coming back.

My sun visor? It's running with me to remind me that while I thought I was washed up, I'm really just getting started. A little rough around the edges. A little worn down. But with lots of good miles to go!! So on Sunday when you see me with my White TITANS Sun Visor, remember that tomorrow is never promised and run like it will be your last. I love you, dad!

Kelvin Jones
Nissan Nurse
10/02/2007