Between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, 2020, I’m logging 20 miles on foot (as much running as I can manage) in support of CWS and their #Run4Refugees campaign. As I complete the miles, I’m sharing the reasons I’m running. If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. Day 2’s reasons are here.
7. I’m a planner, but I have no idea how to make plans to leave your home and country for an unknown future. As I was running today, I thought about all the preparation it’s taking to squeeze in these runs during a busy week. This morning, I was cooking bacon for dinner (BLTs) so that I wouldn’t have to do it after work and before spectating at a field hockey match so I could get in a quick run to add miles to my total. I don’t handle unforeseen circumstances well. Refugees don’t usually make hasty decisions to leave their homes. Months, sometimes years, of planning happen first. Most of the time, there are unforeseen circumstances on the journey. And how do you plan for such a journey? What do you take with you? What do you leave behind? I’m raising funds and awareness for an organization that helps fill in the gaps for refugee families. I’ve seen firsthand the gratitude for a new home, school supplies, and transportation to the grocery store and medical appointments.
8. Some lessons I’ve learned from running apply to justice work, like refugee aid and resettlement. When I run, I have to keep my head up to take in sufficient oxygen or else my breathing suffers. Advocating for justice issues requires us to keep our heads up and not get too focused on potential pitfalls or circumstances that might make us hang our heads. Running, especially long distances, requires persistence. Justice work, too. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and too often I’ve wanted it to be “fixed” quickly. The funds raised this week will help the work continue for the long haul.
Stay tuned for more reasons tomorrow!
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