June 18: Back to Ann Arbor


Having grown up in East Lansing for most of my life, Ann Arbor was never one of my top choices on visiting. Our Team in Training swim practice brought me there once again, and now that I'm getting to know the area a little better, Ann Arbor isn't all that bad. It's quite a beautiful town, actually.

We found ourselves back at Fuller Pool, the same pool as before (see my entry for May 31: Reality Check). The first time I was at that pool, I was unaware that Lucas had been brought in by one of those helicopters when he was critically ill. This time, I had that knowledge, and that fact preoccupied my mind as I'd watch the helicopters fly overhead. (After all, little three year old Lucas did end up dying of Leukemia despite all of the efforts from the many doctors who worked with him.)

One person I was training with knew the story about Luc, and she asked me to look at the situation in a different way. Yes, there are people in need of urgent care. Yes, they may have had a long rough journey with their health. Yes, their families are likely experiencing unimaginable stress. BUT, those helicopter pilots, and the efforts of all of the U-M staff, are working hard at SAVING lives.

I knew that all along, but having heard that, all of the sudden my glass was half full and not half empty. All of the sudden, each time I saw a helicopter, my heart was filled with hope and not grief, thinking that perhaps this would be a GOOD day for whoever it was in need of care. I'm so glad that someone showed me a new way to see that.

P.S. The photo above shows some of the Team Michigan athletes at Fuller Pool. You can see the U-M hospital in the background. That's me in the front with the thunder thighs and blue swim cap. Contrary to what many people may think, all of this working out hasn't helped slenderize my thighs or cankles yet. I can only hope!

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Check out my fundraising progress at:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/DunCAN

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