My Neighbor, My Hero

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MY NEIGHBOR… MY HERO

Hey gang I’d like to take a second to tell you about my neighbor Trudy. 

As part of my fitness regimen, I’ve been trying to walk three times a week.   In many cases I’ll bump into Trudy and I will walk with her the rest of the way.  Like I said,  I try walk around our neighborhood three times a week, Trudy on the other hand  is out there every day rain or shine.  She is dedicated.  But this drive and determination didn’t start recently.   Just over a decade ago she learned from her doctor that she had breast cancer.  Her determination then and the doctors care helped her stay cancer free today.  She learned about a special   Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day in Boston and has been training for many weeks. 

Trudy is incredibly humble and is doing something pretty stellar in my books.  This Thursday she is flying to Boston and beginning Friday, she’ll start her walk of 60 miles over three days as part of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day.  20 miles a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  To make things even more interesting, she told me she’ll be camping out and sleeping in a pink tent each night.  She’s dedicated. 

Trudy told me a few weeks back she was getting to a “make or break point” in her training.  It was about  this time  when she leaned that a friend of the family passed away rather suddenly from cancer and another was recently diagnosed with cancer.  She said she cried and was a little overwhelmed that day.  It was also about that time, a neighbor posted the sign (above) in their yard to root Trudy on to reach her goal.  Trudy told me, “How can I quit now? These are like messages from angels to pick up the torch once again and fight the fight.   Lately neighborhood children have been cheering her on like she was Rocky Balboa as she walks her nightly routine.

Trudy also told me that she’s doing this for friends and family.  She said she’s doing this for my wife and daughter and for any granddaughters we might have.  She’s doing it for all the mom’s, daughter’s and granddaughter’s out there. 

So this weekend, I ask that you keep Trudy Strieker in your thoughts and prayers.  She’s my hero and I hope she’s one of yours as well.

-Rik Out