My brother, Joey, died on May 12, 2003.  And while seven years have passed, I still am reminded of him often.  

This past winter I had the amazing opportunity to travel with my cousin and uncle to Germany, Austria, and Italy.  There was business to attend to in Germany (for Uncle Fred, not for Jonathan and I--who filled our days with sight seeing), however, the sole purpose of the Austria stop was to go skiing in the Alps.  Unbelievably cool? Yes.  Terrifying (to a girl who hadn't been on skis in over a decade)?  Double yes. Without going into the incriminating details, I managed to make it down the slope with my uncle's coaching and my cousin's patience (poor boy had to wait for extended periods while I cautiously pie-wedged my way down the slope).  

Skiing in the Alps was an exhilarating experience. And thinking about it now, it occurs to me how much Joe would have loved it. As the natural athlete of our family he took to skiing, much to my father's delight, quickly and with little effort. While I spent the first day of each year's ski trip in a beginner refresher course (and never progressed much beyond the intermediate slope), Joe excelled and would go off with my father on more challenging slopes. I always admired his strength, control, and fearlessness on the slopes. Not to mention his humor; he quickly mastered the quick stop & turn. He loved to show off this skill which, coincidentally, tossed snow on me, at the end of his runs.

While I was just proud to have just made it down the mountain, I have no doubt that if Joe was with us here today, he would have done it with snow tossing, speed racing, having-lots-of-fun style.  

In Joe's honor, I will once again be attempting to complete the Samaritan's 5K (Katy style, not Joe style), on Saturday, October 2nd.  This will be Jogger's for Joe's 8th year and it appears the team gets better with age. Last year we had a medal winner in our midst!    

If you are in Boston on October 2, please join Joggers for Joe and run or walk from Artesani park along the water. Information about the race can be found here: http://www.samaritanshope.org/index.php/5k.html.  If you are unable to join us but would like to give, donating through this site is easy, fast and secure. Many thanks for your support.

Past year's team pictures (including last year's in the rain!) and more info about Joe is available here: www.inmemoryofjoe.org/samaritans_5k.html