My grandfather was a man larger than life. He was 6'3” and broad shouldered, the manly man build and most people if they didn't know him, found him to be intimidating and gruff. But once you got to know him you knew he had a heart of gold and was a big teddy bear on the inside. A huge story teller and just one hell of a good guy. He was the biggest softy when it came to kids. Every year he loved to do Ride For Kids for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (http://www.curethekids.org/events/ride-for-kids/#.VyjJ6NKDGko). He would give kids with brain tumors rides in his sidecar and it would make his day to see the smiles on their faces. He would come home with a heavy heart knowing what those kids were going through, knowing what most of their fates would be but knowing that for at least a day he helped to let them escape all of that and just enjoy those moments and to be free and in doing so, he was free too.

 

As most of you know, we lost him from this world going on two years ago in June. On that day, a piece of my world shattered. He was my Pap, my best friend, my hero and plain and simply, my everything. Since he's not here anymore to do those rides and I don't ride or own a motorcycle to continue the tradition, I thought instead, in his honor, I could do the 5K race for brain tumors. I will be participating in Pittsburgh's 6th Annual Walk/Run to End Brain Tumors held by Denise's People on May 15th. This organization is one of the ones that you want to support. The money they raise does not go to padding people's pockets but instead goes to where it is supposed to be going, to people who need help paying for clinical trials, treatments and actually finding a cure. I couldn't be happier to be participating in this event. (https://www.wizathon.com/denises-people/index.php)

 

I would like to ask if anyone would be willing to donate to sponsor me in this event to help me raise money for them. Any amount helps and is highly appreciated. As well, if anyone would like to actually participate with me, please let me know. If you feel moved to share this post with friends and family, that is also highly appreciated. This will be my first 5K and gods knows I'm not ready for it but I will go, alone if need be, and trudge through it knowing why I'm doing it and holding my Pap in my heart.