with heavy heart

‎"They ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach." -Joe Paterno

I went out for my weekly long run this morning a little after 9:30am, my originally intended time of departure. About 2 miles from home, I decided to shuffle through to a new song, and as I was changing, I saw I had a text message from my cousin. I just had a sinking feeling in my stomach and heart, and knew I could cry right there without great effort. We watched all last night as reports of Joe Paterno's health seemed to take a turn for the worst, and I just knew that's what Marni's text was about. I decided against checking it, knowing I'd have trouble keeping it together and getting home in one piece. So I kept running.

Instead of thinking about his death, I thought about the incredible life Joe Paterno has led, about the lives he's touched both knowingly and unknowingly. I thought about all he packed in to his 85 years of life. At any age, it would have felt too early, but I thought about how he truly did live his life to the fullest. I'm deeply saddened about our incredible loss and it is only my hope that he truly knew how loved he was, how appreciative thousands of Penn Staters are to him for what he did for us and our beloved university. To me, Penn State can be summed up by two major icons and events: Joe Paterno and THON. Both are about love, dedication, and touching the lives of others.

THON is a celebration of life, and in 25 days, we'll run/dance/celebrate life, in honor of our Four Diamonds guests and in loving memory of our dear coach. We'll continue our fight, so that ALL KIDS can have the chance to live as big and full of a life as he did, filled with years of accomplishment, family, and love.