Ashley M. Kumlien - MSRuntheUS

This weekend our family had the opportunity (thanks to Shauna) to meet Ashley Kumlien and her family.  This remarkable young lady is running across the US to support MS as her Mother, Jill, has been plagued with the disease for 28 years.  You can find out more about her and her cause at the following; MSRuntheUS by going to; her web site @ www.MSRuntheUS.com , her facebook @ facebook.com/MSRuntheUS, or her twitter @ twitter.com/MSRuntheUS.

In addition to Ashley we had the opportunity to meet her mom and dad (Keith and Jill), her sister Dawn, and her fiancée Andrew.  Her dad Keith and I talked about a lot of things with one of them a bit of the story of his dad in the "Battle of the Bulge".  Her mom Jill and my daughter Wendy had their heads together while we were outside watching our grandson Andrew shoot off some of his fireworks.  Ashley and Andrew were in a cluster with Shauna, Mike G, Pat and Mike O - just a gathering of family and friends watching 4th of July weekend USA unfold.

Earlier we all enjoyed of an ice-cream cake, supplied by Shauna, and joined in many conversations around the table.  I took the opportunity to talk with Ashley's sister Dawn, and listening to her was really no different than listening to our girls while they were growing up, or our granddaughters Kalyn & Kelly - I like being around girls and it's a good thing because I always have been.  After the ice-cream cake everyone just enjoyed themselves around the table with multiple conversations going on at the same time.  I tried to take some pictures with my new phone but only one of them can be considered for display here - it is of Ashly doodling with the frosting from the ice-cream cake, you get the feeling that she was just relaxed and enjoying her idle time from running every day.  I called the picture "Ashley's Art".

"Ashley's Art"

If you have the opportunity to either run with Ashley as she makes her was across the country she would both enjoy and appreciate it.  If you don't run with her you can support her cause through donations to MSRuntheUS or direct to the MS foundation in her name.  Ashley is a sweetheart and has taken up this task because of her mother Jill's strength & belief in God, God Bless Her and protect her for the balance of her MSRuntheUS.

Thanks Shauna, you helped make this 4th of July holiday weekend special - having the opportunity to meet this very special family and including them as a part of our family.

God Bless, and sending my wishes that all of you had something special happen on this 2010 July 4th Holiday Weekend.