it's about friends, family and the climb for a cure

today a group of friends awoke in the wee early hours of the morning to climb 53 flights in a musty stairwell of an office building as part of team "emily's entourage." the team was created and led by two of my very closest, most special, life-long friends. there was no ventilation, no substantial breaks, no shortage of people and, well, 53 flights of stairs! the thought alone leaves me utterly breathless.

i didn't attend because the event attracts a bunch of CFers who don't wear masks and frankly, it makes me too anxious to enjoy. while "emily's entourage" trekked step after step, flight after flight, i went to my parents' house to put the finishing touches on our post-climb brunch celebration.

it is hard for me to even find the words to articulate my gratitude. seeing my friends' genuine enthusiasm to get involved and actively show their support for me and the CF crusade brings tears to my eyes. it makes me feel infinitely more powerful in my continuous fight against this evil, unyielding disease. i feel literally enveloped by their love and support and there is nothing more strengthening than that.

the love wasn't just local either. in addition to generous monetary contributions and messages of support that flowed in from friends and family, i was greeted by a package at my parents' house. i cautiously opened it up confused about what i would find inside. i was absolutely taken aback to find an authentic new orlean's king cake! it came with love, well wishes and mardi gras beads from my college best friend and her (very) soon-to-be husband.

as for my family, it just so happened that my sister, julia, was away this weekend on a medical humanitarian mission to the dominican republic. we missed her sorely but if there's ever a legitimate excuse for not being at an important fundraiser, surely providing health care to people in remote villages who normally do not have access qualifies. to top it off, she later told me that she wore a CF t-shirt all day in my honor.

even my sometimes-absent-minded but very lovable brother, coby, who is living it up at college, messaged me at 6:30 am to say he was thinking of us and wishing us the best of luck! i'm just hoping that was an early morning for him and not a late night.

luckily, my other sister, annie, and my parents more than held down the fort. they hosted a wonderful brunch complete with bagels, lox, whitefish, a berry medley and various homemade pastries. it was delicious and lovely. annie even got to show off her amazing communication device skills to all my friends, which made both me and her very proud!

words of support are important, but seeing them come to life today gave them a new layer of meaning. i feel humbled to be surrounded by such extraordinary friends and family and i'm forever moved by their love and commitment.

(due to technical difficulties, photos documenting the great climb will be posted as soon as possible.)