Every year since my first surgery in 2012 I have completed a 5k "because I can". Usually, I push it off all year and end up running to the Thanksgiving Day Parade by myself or I run to Times Square on New Year's Eve to complete 3.2 miles alone. I was given the opportunity to participate in the Daniel Beer Memorial 5K. Daniel Beer passed suddenly on July 10th, six days following his 11th birthday. This would be my first organized 5K in 5 years and I was so excited to participate in such a meaningful race to commemorate my friends son.
Three and a half weeks ago, I got a call that my neurologist had passed away. Because it was right before a holiday there was no formal shiva or any public grieving opportunity for me to mourn him and have a sense of closure. I had been reflecting on all of the extra-ordinary actions he has done for me throughout the years. He was always my biggest cheerleader and called me frequently as I was struggling to re-learn to walk. He would smile from ear to ear when I would go to his office to show him my progress each month. I remember telling him about my first 5K, The Color Run, in 2013 and he got up from behind his desk and hugged me because he was so proud.
I never had the honor to meet Daniel, though through his moms stories about him over the summers, it feels as though I knew him. He was a fun-loving, happy, sweet, funny boy who had the brightest smile in the world.
As the Daniel Beer Memorial 5K got closer, I decided I would run this official 5K not only in memory of Daniel, but also in honor of my neurologist, Dr. Alex Schick, who supported me through and through from the moment I was unable to walk in 2012 until I gained back every deficit in 2016.
As they say, "We make plans, and God laughs." I was accepted to staff a Birthright trip and had to be at an all day training today, the day of the 5K. I was devastated to miss this event. An event which, for me, would honor two special souls. After getting 3 hours of sleep last night, attending an 8.5 hour training, I got home, changed into my Daniel Beer Memorial 5K t-shirt, mapped out what 3.2 miles would be, put on my sneakers and off I went. I ran/jogged for most of the 3.2 miles. The sun was setting on the Hudson as I ran. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful sky to be looking at as I ran and finished the 5K for Daniel and for Dr. Schick-- just as the sun set.
BDE Daniel Beer and Dr. Alex Schick
