How do you judge a man?

Over the last few months I have been asked on many occasions “Why a marathon?” Is it to get in shape or just to say I am running in a marathon? May be it’s the satisfaction of crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles.

The reason is I am running is for my brother Joe. Many of you knew him. Some of you knew him very well. And in some cases, some of you never had the pleasure of meeting him. As you read on my website, Joe passed away from cancer at the age of 40. Way too young! Joe was a great brother. He was always willing to help or give advice at any time. He was funny but tough at the same time. He was strong as hell, but gentle. Joe never met a person he disliked.

Joe was an amazing carpenter. But he was more than a just a handy man. He had a passion for building. From building his own deck to finishing is own basement. He took great pride in his work, and it was evident in his meticulous time he spent on projects.

Even in his last days on this earth he was to still willing to help. I remember moving out of my house. Before I could move I had to install a sub-pump. Well, there he was at my house with no hair and tired from “chemo” helping to install this pump. I really did not help, I just I handed him tools. Two months later Joe left of us.

The road Joe took in his final days was hard. He endured countless surgeries and hospital visits. Medications that are so long in name that I can not even pronounce. From sleepless nights to days were he could not even move from the sofa, Joe experienced life at its worse. Even when days were so bleak and hopeless, Joe still endured. He carried on for his girls. In his eyes, Jenna and Jessica represented survival. When days were so bad and painful Joe continued to fight and made life as normal as possible for his girls. Imagine being 9 years old and seeing your father with tubes and machines attached to you in ever possible way. There he was still trying to make the best possible situation for his daughters.

How do you judge a man? Is it is his legacy? Is it his wealth? I really don’t know. I do know when Joe finally passed we received countless cards and calls from so many family members and friends. At his wake, the line never ended. The countless people that stood in line to pay their last respects was amazing. From old friends to co-workers they all came with stories. Every story had a common theme. In some every way Joe made an impression on everyone of those people in a special way.

I believe you judge a man on how many people he “touches” in his life. Joe’s life was a short one, but he touched so many.

So why do I run?

I run for Joe. I run for every person who has cancer or may get cancer. I run to find a cure. I run for Joe. I run for all moms and dads so that they do not to have to leave their children because of cancer. I run for children. I run for children so that they do not have to experience what Jenna and Jessica endured. I run for children to never to get cancer. I run for children with cancer to be cured. I run for Joe.