Run Logan, Run

One day Madison said to Logan's friend Missy, "Why are you always smiling?"

And because I'm a very bad mother I thought, 'Because she doesn't have any kids!'

But really even when I didn't have any kids I still didn't smile like Missy. Missy is a genuinely happy and optimistic person. I've always been surprised at how well she and Logan get along since typically people that are like you kind of start to annoy you. But it seems Logan and Missy had enough in common to get past the fact that they were both competing in the Most Optimistic Citizen 2004 pageant.

For example, Logan and Missy enjoy running. They like to run until they have to poop and they think it's an amusing side effect of running. Not a deal breaker. They could, and also have, spent hours at a time comparing dead toenails, and neither one gags.

Once while having dinner with Missy and Logan I noted, 'If you two were a couple no one would ever want to spend time with either of you."

I've remarked before how I sometimes wish I'd break my ankle so I wouldn't need to run anymore or feel guilty for not doing it. It's true I'm actually lazy at my very core. Which is why it really hurt when Missy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Missy is young and active and she actually enjoys running and biking with an undeniable passion, which if you ask me, is the real illness.

MS threatens to change the things Missy loves doing and that doesn't seem fair to me.

Logan is running a marathon in a couple of weekends and has decided to raise money for the MS Society in Missy's name. I'm praying there is a cure for MS in the not so distant future so that Missy can run until her toenails fall off if she so chooses.

Because if Logan doesn't have someone to share that experience with....guess who's going to be stuck listening to him babble on and on about his disgusting missing toenails?

If you'd like to help the MS Society and Missy by pledging money to Logan for his "Toe Nail Dropping, Pants Crapping* Marathon" you can go here to make a secure epledge.

*This is not the real name of the marathon. It's actually called "The Ass Clenching Long Fucking Run Through Detroit"

Comments

[kathie]

So, do you make Logan keep his socks on in bed? My husband has gross toe nails from running too! omigod! YUCK!

Kathie

[MonoCerdo]

Oh, Melissa. This entry--it's too much. Then I read the comments on Logan's race donation page and, well, I had already cried at work twice today so why not make it three times at home while sitting in front of my computer in the dark.

You really do wonderful things with this website, though, and I'm sure the Summers family will help raise a lot of support.

[gorillabuns]

it's wonderful that you are helping with the cause. i have 3 friends with ms as well as my uncle died with it two years ago. so sad to hear another person is afflicted with it.

[Psycho Kitty]

One of my dearest friends was diagnosed recently. You bet your clenched ass I'll donate. Run, Logan, Run!

[Crazy MomCat]

Delurking to say it is wonderful what your husband and you are doing for your friend with MS. It really actually hit home with me in another way too. I was diagnosed with diabetes recently and have been shocked by how many young and physcially active/fit people have this disease as well. It's really suprising to look at someone who looks like Missy (happy, fit, active) and think of her as someone with a serious disorder like MS. But, a lot of young adults have diseases like diabetes and MS. Chances are, someone you know may and you don't even realize it. Good luck with the run and the fundraising! I am considering running for diabetes in November myself!

[MsShadow]

Delurking again today, I rarely comment anywhere, and oddly enough, the other comment I made on another blog was about MS too.

Hopefully, she's being treated with one of the ABC drugs, which is spose to slow down the progression of the disease. I too, am lazy at my core, and I also have MS. I started going to Curves 3 months ago, and exercise has been a miracle "cure" for me.

I hope Melissa has a very slow course of her MS and she stays on course with her running. That pooping thing tho... hell, I do that with the disease and I don't have to run for it. Your husband and her are crazy!

[andrea]

Tears are flowing.......

[Caitlin]

Hi,
I happened upon your blog in the most roundabout way, but just wanted to say that I think you have such a way with words and I really enjoy reading your writing.

[dolly]

awful...just too awful

[cristin]

You and Logan rock. Really.
I was diagnosed with MS myself in Feb 2002 (Valentine's day actually, the cupid sucked that year) and tell Missy to keep her chin up, and yes, like Ms shadow says, get on one of the disease modifying drugs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
The MS Society is a great resource for us as well.
And also tell her to hang in there, changes keep rolling down the 'pike, things look better every day.

[Paige]

Ack. Anyone who loves running that much is clearly on a one way track (forgive the pun) to Heaven, and deserves every penny that I end up donating. Here's to the cure. You and I can watch from the sidelines, sipping Merlot while they run until poop runs down their legs ... hey, they've earned it. :)

[JuJuBee]

It's awesome that you guys are helping Missy. She is lucky to have friends like you. She is extra lucky that she has someone to discuss dead toenails with because, EWW.

Eww.

[Jen]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear about Missy. That is dreadful.

[Sarah]

Good luck with the run, Logan. You guys are so good (Logan made me a magnetic notepad last year because I liked yours!). I hope you raise a ton of money for Missy, and I hope she's able to continue her insane exerciseness!

[sleepingmommy]

My stepbrother was diagnosed with MS. He was in the Marine Corps during the first half of the 1990s and has always been very active and athletic and SO strong.

Last year I participated in the MS walk to raise money. I posted about it and raised money on my blog.

Here's the link to the post about my brother and why I was participating:

http://sleepingmommy.blogspot.com/2005/02/blogging-for-charity.html

Just wanted to share that this is a disease that can hit anyone no matter how healthy they live their life. Good for Logan and his participation. Thank you for sharing Missy's story. Hopefully it will help raise alot of money for the research.

[Jamie]

This is bittersweet to read, as I have extended family that have been stricken with MS. What an awful, unpredictable thing it can be. I started crying when you said that Logan would be running for the cause - it really means more to me than you could ever understand! Bless you, Melissa, for hating running as much as I do...and Bless Logan for loving it.

[Linda]

My mother has MS and I've seen it take her from a vibrant, healthy woman to being unable to walk or pick up her grandchild. MS sucks! Donate whatever you can to help.

[Bee]

You amaze me!

I will definitely donate...

[roo]

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

[schmutzie]

I regularly volunteer for the MS Society, so thanks from me to you and everyone else who donates to the cause. Also, I never knew that running could make you poop. That almost inspires me to take it up.

[Emily G.]

I am a lab technician in a lab that researches and tries to understand MS. Really, the biggest problems right now are that we don't know why it happens, or exactly what physically is causing it to happen. This makes research all the more important. The PhDs and MDs I work for are brilliant people and I watch them pull long nights, come into work on the weekends, constantly question each other and share data and insights. You are not alone - they are doing their best to find a cure, a reliable treatment, a prevention because it's important to them that this never have to happen to anyone. MS is hard, but we have hope and we are learning more every day. Best wishes and strength to all three of you.

[susan michael]

I am Missy's aunt and just want to say, Logan you must be a pretty terrific guy. It is an inspiration that you are running to raise money for MS in Missy's name. Please count me in. God Speed.....