When I was 18 my life revolved around study.
First, the Leaving Cert and then onto college for a degree, post-grad, scholarships etc.
I was living what I thought was the dream, studying exactly what I wanted, where I wanted.
I lived in a bubble where that was all that mattered. Some would say, I never left!
Life progressed as it was supposed to in my mind, education, job, love, marriage, kids, family, success… I had never wanted or needed anything more.
Then one day, out of the blue a bolt from the blue… Why me, why now? I had done everything right, this couldn’t be happening. This stuff happened to other people, not to me, not to us.
I was falling, lost, helpless.
Then a chink of light! Love. Love got me/us through. Our love for each other, the love of our family, the love from our friends. When everything seems lost, there is everything to gain.
Where am I now? I am grateful. Grateful for family, for friends, for life. What would I do for those who helped me, helped us? Anything.
Running from Greystones to Galway is nothing compared to what I have received.
What would I say to my 18-year-old self? Live, Laugh, Love!
The Mindful West run is a 240km run from Greystones to Galway in aid of a Lust for Life and CMRF Crumlin. If you enjoyed this story please donate to the run here.
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