I had a dream about Sam last night and I wanted to write it down before I forgot it completely. It’s already starting to fade, as dreams do.

I was at a hotel in Phoenix and it was the day before the marathon. I was with my team when MaryAnn, our TNT leader, told me that Sam and Rudy were downstairs in room 106. So Andrea and I ran downstairs to a large, empty room with a smooth concrete floor (a bit like a church fellowship hall might look like). When I walked into the room Sam immediately knew who I was and ran over too me. I knelt down and he wrapped his arms tightly around my neck. I hugged him back, holding back tears. He then looked at me and said, “Thank you for running for me.” He gave Andrea a hug and then went back to playing with seemingly abundant energy.

Then Rudy came over and did the shake-your-hand/hug thing that guys do. The look of gratitude mixed with sadness in his eyes will be hard to forget. Then my stupid alarm went off. Ahh! I hate working Saturdays.

I’m praying for you Sam. Be strong and run the race set before you.