Here I Go….

I’m Judy, better known as Ron’s sister, and I’m on the white team. I don’t know many of the folks on the P3C3 team. I didn’t do many of the training rides. I’m significantly slower than most of them, and frankly just can’t keep up! But here I am. Almost ready to go, and now I’m going to attempt to come clean. Admitting my weaknesses and fears is not easy for me. After going through a divorce, being a single mom, and having my dad diagnosed with cancer; I learned to hide my feelings and put on a smile. No one wants to see or be around a depressed, angry, weak person. So I stuffed down my fears and covered my weaknesses with food. I’m not quite sure how I thought that was going to help, but it is what I did nonetheless. In 2005, my world changed. My dad died. It was cancer’s fault. My dad was THE MAN! If you knew him, you know exactly what I mean. If you didn’t, you missed out. But if you know my brother Ron Jerina, you have a pretty good idea what my dad was like. The apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. My dad loved God, loved his family, and loved his life. He REALLY loved life. You know the kind of person I mean, the kind you just can’t help but be happier when you are around them. I covered my grief with more food, and I reached the epitome of unhealthy. Then, God used a song to speak to me. I heard Lee Ann Womack’s song “I Hope You Dance”, and I realized I was choosing to sit out on life. I was completely missing out on the thing my dad enjoyed most…LIFE! I was letting cancer win! Cancer took my dad, and without even entering my body, it was taking me! So I started fighting back. I’ve had two knee replacements and have lost nearly a hundred pounds. I still have more to go (a lot more), but I’m coming clean with my fears. I’m afraid I won’t be fast enough, strong enough, or that my “fake” knees won’t hold up. But what I’m not afraid of is standing up and saying I’m here to do what I can to KICK CANCER’S BUTT! I’m here with my less than perfect body to ride for those who can’t. To fight for my friends, Christi, Jessica and Holly, who are all battling cancer. For my mom, for our warriors, and for my kids grandmother, Ann. I will fight because I can. When I feel like giving up, or complaining, I will carry on with the spirit my own father exhibited when he was fighting for his life. As we prepare to leave, I have to take a moment to thank people who helped me get here, because this is a journey I couldn’t have gone on alone. I thank God for keeping my body strong, despite my best efforts to destroy it. I thank my children, Elizabeth and Andrew, who give up so much of their time with me so that I can exercise and train. They tell me they are proud of me. My “diva” friends (the name we have given ourselves), who hold me accountable to my workouts and never complain (well almost never) when I drag them on another ride or to another triathlon. I have to thank the kids at my school, GMC Charter High School. These less than 200 kids raised over $1,800 last week for the Challenge to Conquer Cancer! And finally, I have to thank my sweet husband, who supports and loves me. So here we come. I’ve come clean with my fears. I’m scared, but I’m determined. Cancer better watch out.