In the wake of an early Sunday morning, the anticipation of Champ's Challenge has settled in for the past four years (for me, personally). Knowing that we are gathering together has been comforting. Working hard as a team to fundraise for a humble cause, our community of supporters has made this possible every year. Gratitude runs deep when we work collectively.

And the pinwheel was spinning. 

It was my first glimpse of Cloey Shelor, our Cystic Fibrosis Angel, whom I had met some seven years ago on Facebook. Such a vibrant young lady, I could already tell. She seemed to be a Cystic Fibrosis Warrior and celebrity from the very start, prior to even reaching the status of her teenage years. Her energy, her stamina, her talent. All were worthy of amazement.

Here I am living with CF and writing this blog as I am about to turn 74 years old. I was born on Memorial Day - May 30th. For many years of my life, I celebrated my birthday with the day off from school or work, often with a family picnic. Now Memorial Day is on the fourth Monday of May and I usually have to wait a few days to celebrate the birthday.

How do you know that you’ve stayed too long for lunch? When the waitress presents you with the same, identical tab, twice.

The conversation, which had been fostered from various years of Facebook followings and interactions between me and Cystic Fibrosis Warrior Stephanie Santana, led to that overstay at an eatery near her town in the Florida Keys. I had admired Stephanie over time for her personality, her talent, her tenacity, and her zest for being unique.