Like a whole bunch of my dear friends, I am turning 60 this year...August 7 to be exact!! How on earth did that happen? There was talk of us "boomers" taking a  fabulous trip together to mark this milestone....but life seems to be throwing enough curveballs to enough of us to postpone that type of celebration for a little while!

  It came to me that I wanted to celebrate a few of the qualities I most cherish that have been strengthened and tested over the decades that hold me in such a magnificent community of family, friends (old and new) and colleagues.

The qualities are endurance, humor, gratitude and humility...not always easy but they make all that I do or have ever been challenged by possible.

I have also been truly blessed (so far) with physical health and vitality...and I have challenged myself over the years with endurance events of many kinds...the ones most meaningful have always been on behalf of a loved one or as a fundraiser for a cause close to my heart.

SO, putting all these elements together...I'm throwing myself a triathlon!!! I want it to be a challenging event that is also tons of fun! Those of you in the local area come join me for any part of it...even if it's for the refreshments at the end!

Here are the specifics so far:

When:Sunday, August 5, 2012

Start time: 7 a.m.

Where:I will bike from my home in Arlington to Walden Pond in Concord, (route to be determined). I will swim the perimeter of Walden Pond which is about 1.25 miles. I will run/walk 6 miles around the Walden Pond area, finishing back at the pond. THIS IS NOT A RACE...IT IS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND LOVE!

HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!

I am doing this triathlon as a FUNDRAISER...inviting you all to donate to the Somaly MAM foundation, an organization that works to stop the scourge of  human trafficking, most especially women and young girls. Malaya and Emma both come from countries where trafficking is endemic and as I have learned more about the reach and scope of the problem, it brings me to my knees in pain when I imagine girls like mine in those circumstances.

Please go to somaly.org to read about the unbelievably courageous Cambodian activist, Somaly Mam, a former victim of slavery herself, who, at great peril to her and her familiy's safety, has taken on this global industry.

And ALSO so important for me to write  outloud...the "endurance" part of this event is also my way of honoring the numerous people I love that are in the midst of their own "marathons or triathlons" of physical and emotional crisis...most especially my beloved niece Cathy and my dear friends Nancy and Nonie...this one is for  you!

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!!

LOVE, Cathy