The weather in Orange County couldn’t have been more perfect on that Saturday morning, Aug. 21.
Heather Goode was taking full advantage of it on her daily training run to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
But for Rossmoor resident Debbie Tanaka, while on a trip celebrating 28 years of marriage with her loving husband Darryl, the day marked something that changed her life significantly … again.
For 44 years Debbie has lived a life of independence, even with having experienced an accident that many years ago left her paralyzed from the waist down. Her life and that of the entire Tanaka family changed in ways they would never have imagined.
On this celebration trip, Debbie suffered an accidental fall receiving another serious injury leaving her as a paraplegic with limited mobility of her arms.
Her independence now radically shifted to a life of dependence on the loving care giving of her husband Darryl and others. Their lives profoundly affected, and profoundly touched, the hearts and lives of others.
Two women, only briefly acquainted—their lives soon to come together in a most remarkable way.
The Sunday morning after Debbie Tanaka’s injury, Don Shoemaker, senior pastor for Grace Community Church in Seal Beach, made an announcement of her injury, asking for prayer for Tanaka’s family.
Heather was in that service and recalled being at a women’s retreat with Debbie, seeing her once in a while as their paths crossed at church.
Later that day as she ran, Heather couldn’t get Debbie out of her mind. She kept thinking, “Here I am out running and she can’t.”
In the days and weeks ahead, Heather continued her training but she never forgot about Debbie, wondering if there was something she could do to support her—maybe something to do with the marathon.
The problem was, Heather hadn’t yet received her invitation. The qualifying date was getting very close and she’d heard nothing from the committee.
A week or so later, while doing her training run as usual, she made the commitment to herself that if she ran the marathon it would be as a fund-raising effort in support of Debbie and her needs.
That’s the day Heather got word from the Marathon Committee congratulating her for qualifying for the race.
Heather Goode will run the Boston Marathon on April 18—the number 19206 displayed on her runner’s placard. A number that has a name: Debbie Tanaka. Two women of faith in God running the race set before them.
You can read more on Debbie’s story online at http://godebbiego.blogspot.com.
You will also find there, opportunities where you can contribute to Debbie’s support.
