Yesterday marked the first day of 12 weeks in training for the 2011 MS150, this event is much larger than a race.  It has been a factor of life for MANY years for our entire family watching a dear uncle stuggle with this disease.  He was a man who touched my life long ago while at a softball game.  His daughter and I playing on different teams, he'd holler at the umpires in regards to calls.  Not only those which were incorrect upon his daughter's side but our team as well.  This particular game was a battle which went far into the night upon extra innings.  I do not recall who won that night but I do remember walking off the field in darkness and a "Great game blue and white!"  As I turned it was this man who also battled not for just his daughters team but for what should have been the correct calls upon both sides. 

A year later, I shattered my ankle catching as a larger player decided to run over me instead of sliding.  Doctors told me I'd never play ball again, never run, jump or have any of the capabilities I had before.  Operations and rehab were much of my life along with pain and tons of tears.  I'd told the doctors that I would work my hardest to get back to where I was before.  After a surgery staph infection took over my ankle.  It was the most horrible sight to see the wound layed open with capabilities of seeing my bone, ligaments and tendons within my own body.  We had to clean it every single day two to three times daily with swabs, tweezers and peroxide, it was agonizing pain.  I do not know who it was worse on me who was going through the pain or one who often had to clean out the infected areas which were tore off the bone and flesh.  Ankle had to heal from the inside out.  After much time I was back to trying to be me, yet walking was painful for a long time.  It was hard those few years sitting back and watching everyone play ball but it only gave me the drive to want to play.  Increased that passion within the heart and the pit of my soul.  It had to be a God thing for me to even think about playing sports again, but more so I believe He started to work on me way back then.   

Little did I know that many years later God planted that hollering man's nephew who was at that ball game years before into my life.  I deeply fell in love with God and with His foundational love I'd married into this family.  Uncle was healthy and vibrant upon that day of our wedding but shortly after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  He went from walking and running to having to use a stick to keep him upright and how this disease progressed so upon his body.  I didn't see him for a month and the next thing I knew he was in a wheelchair.  The disease ever breaking down his body so very quickly.  It was hard to watch, you see my mother was struck with polio at age one, had many surgeries and she too often struggles with getting around.  Yet, to see Uncle in this chair was a huge reminder of how quickly our lives can change just as my life changed when I was ran over at home plate and shattered that ankle.  The only difference is multiple sclerosis progress and regresses but often just progresses, unlike my shattered ankle I knew what to expect each day.  But Uncle never knew if he'd have a good day, a bad day or how he'd feel from one moment to the next.   Uncle's MS so did progress quickly, yet regardless of what was occuring he kept his humor and never faultered to remain who he was.  You see I say who he was because we lost him this year in January.  He has been my family for close to 17 years but I've known of him for a lifetime. 

So this year is much more about faith than the event, where we place our faith and how we live our life and the legacy which we leave behind.  There are so many others out there fighting this disease and the work that has been done within the 7 years which we have been involved with the national multiple sclerosis society we've seen changes for the better.  New medicines, great assistance with those families who have to live with the disease each day and many have seen a 360 degree turn within their spiritaul lives trusting the LORD each moment of each day to get them through.  If we can simply participate and surround ourselves with those in need, to listen, to love and to show them God's true love, we might only be able to help them with their physical desires but we can plant a seed!

This years ride is about a legacy which touched many, he more than packed the pews but the hallways and standing room outside as they honored him because of the years he loved us........just as He loves!  I'm sure there will be lots more tears over the months of training, but these tears are ever reminders to live life to the fullest each and everyday, to love those around us and to help one another as we can. 

I ride with a mighty honery bunch but the goal at hand is FOR HIS GLORY to changes lives.  GO MAKE DISCIPLES!!!  Often said we start as onery rascals and finish as angels.  There are thousands of others which we must ride for.

May donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at my link below, http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/CamilleSmouse

Glory Be,

Camille Smouse