I have this quotation on the wall in my bedroom. It reads: ‘Chance made us sisters. Hearts made us friends.’ A gift from youngest sister, Martha, many moons ago.

On July 9, 2021, together we ran 5 km in the virtual Run for Women in support of Women’s Mental Health (benefitting locally— The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health).

Apparently, it was 21 years - basically to the day — since I dragged Martha to her first 5 km (as she reminded me). And afterwards, when I thanked her for running with me … she replied, “No thank you!!! You have me back into wanting to run in the morning. I forgot how good this feels.”

How good this feels… eh?

How good it feels to move the body…

How good it feels to have in person contact…

How good it feels to reminisce…

How good it feels to be appreciated…

How good it feels to raise funds for Women’s Mental Health because…

· Women are disproportionately 'bearing the brunt' of coronavirus crisis with 7 out of 10 Canadian women experiencing more anxiety, depression, fatigue and isolation because of the increase in unpaid care work they are expected to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic.*

· With the COVID-19 crisis affecting every aspect our lives, now more than ever, our mental health matters and every action counts.*

· Rates of anxiety and depression among Canadian mothers have nearly doubled what they were pre-Covid-19.*

*provided by The Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health

Thank you to Team #RunningReflections. Thank you to everyone who donated.