Who, in their right mind, at almost 50 years of age, with a long history of injuries related to sports and running decides to run a marathon as a fundraiser for a children's hospital whose services their children have never used or needed?  

Nobody.

Yet Jordan and I are committed to slogging through Grandma's Marathon in Duluth this June 16th.  We will be part of a team supporting the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital of Minneapolis.  What has led us to this crazy plan?  

Can we all agree there are certain people in our lives whose example, encouragement, or influence inspired us to do things we either never thought possible, or never even had a desire to do?  Who is that person for you?  For us, that person is our nephew, Isaiah Reither.

He wasn't supposed to live.  Born with Down Syndrome and a heart incapable of sustaining his life; our nephew Isaiah began and ended his days in the hospital. Upon initial diagnosis, it seemed as if the only option for my brother Jeff and his wife Laura was to take Isaiah home and enjoy whatever time they had left with him.  They made the heartbreaking decision to bring him home to live out his days with his family.

Then one of the surgeons at Children's suggested a surgery that might give Isaiah a chance at life.  It was questionable whether Isaiah could even survive the surgery, but Jeff and Laura felt they needed to give it a shot.  The surgery was a success...the first of five heart surgeries Isaiah would have at Children's; the first of over 50 admittances;  the first of over 500 days he would spend there.  We are grateful for the love that was given and the life that was extended  for Isaiah because of the people at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

That was the beginning of a six-year gift given to our family...Isaiah's life...six years with the little man everyone loved. Six years of watching him grow, learn, love, laugh; not without struggles, as there were many; but always with a resilience and perseverence unmatched by anyone I have ever known. 

Isaiah died two years ago, while hospitalized for an illness not uncommon to him.  This time, unlike the others, his heart just couldn't endure it.  At the end, Isaiah asked for "Daddy," grabbed Jeff's hand, then laid back and died.  In the very hospital where his second chance at life was granted; his beautiful, meaningful, inspiring life ended.

And THAT is why Jordan and I are doing something that no one in their right mind, at our age, and in our condition, would do. It won't be pretty, and there most-certainly won't be any qualifying times for Boston.  However, I do think this just might be the most meaningful athletic competition we have ever participated in.  

I hope you will consider supporting the cause.  We appreciate your prayers and financial support. You may donate online by clicking on the "Donate Now" button.  Checks can be sent to Children's Minnesota, ATTN: Team Superstars, 5901 Lincoln Drive, Edina, MN  55436.  (Please write "Jordan and Sheila Skiff" in the memo).  In gratitude for your support (and in hopes of providing a good distraction) Jordan and I will pray for any requests/intentions you send our way.  You may email those to me at snjskiff@yahoo.com. I will let you know which mile we will schedule for your intention.   Looking foward to that.

Thank you and God bless you!

Jordan and Sheila Skiff