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| Esther and Naomi who raised almost $4000 between them |
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| Luke who finished first from our team, in 39:50 placing 43rd overall! |
In the aftermath of another successful Sutherland to Surf I
can’t help but reflect personally on an event that has been on my mind for the
last 6 months. At the beginning of each year, I tend to set myself goals for
the coming year in each area of my life, sort of like a personal yard stick,
hoping at the end of the year to be satisfied with the progress I have made. At
the beginning of 2012, I had hoped and prayed that 2012 would end with for Love
Mercy with a community of friends and supporters that was bigger than just our
immediate family and friends who decided to jump on board out of love for us
rather than out of passion for a cause. Not that there is anything wrong with
that of course, but I wanted Love Mercy to stand on its own two feet, not on
the feet of its founders, and gain a real family around it that was passionate
and supportive of it’s goals.
The Sutherland to Surf on the weekend was the answer to this
prayer, and the evidence that Love Mercy has really turned a corner. After the
KONY 2012 saga, our Facebook likes went from 120 – 490 in a matter of weeks
(and sadly, isn’t that a true measure of success these days?) I wondered at the
time what that would tangibly mean for us as a foundation, and I found out on
Sunday that it means quite a bit. Our team grew from 80 in 2011 to 120 in 2013,
but I’m not interested in the numbers. What encouraged me on Sunday was the
feeling and the vibe around the finish line (and at the start line too, so I was
told) and the fact that not only did we see the return of entire families
sponsoring one another and donating hundreds and hundreds of dollars from their
own pockets (you know who you are) but also people from across Sydney rocking
up and joining in. We had kids from Port Hacking High school, heaps of
Thrivers, and of course the wonderful network of people in the Shire who turned
out to join in with the sea of green.
I loved being able to pick a Lover of Mercy in the race,
loved the volunteers who turned up in the rain to serve us brekkie, and loved
the huddle under the marquee when the rain came down hard.
What I loved the most was leaving the finish line feeling like
we’d really achieved something, all together, as one big family of supporters
who believe in something bigger than ourselves, and who are willing to
sacrifice our own time, energy, effort, and finances to provide those who have
way less than us with something as simple as health care.
Tell you what, I can’t wait for next year!
-Caitlin
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