A Walk For ALS

This Sunday at Exposition Park in LA (new home of the Endeavour Space Shuttle) we will walk - I will ride my chariot - to raise awareness for ALS.

This walk, initiated by my sister-in-law, Shirley - Kathy's sister, came as a complete surprise to me. Never, ever, had I heard any word of walking. The first notice of her decision was a post on facebook. Although christened "Team Daniel", there was no team. Shirley, set out on this quest alone, her personal voice of protest against the injustice of this disease and to support a family she loved. I don't know if she expected others to join, perhaps so - knowing our family - but I could tell by the passion in her voice that it didn't matter. This is something she needed to do.

Almost immediately, Kathy was onboard with Sarah, my eldest daughter right after. It wasn't long before both our families had signed up, ready to walk. Kathy, Shirley and Sarah sent out a round of emails to good friends explaining our cause and requesting help in raising funds to battle ALS. I felt funny as the poster boy of this quest and being raised Japanese there is this thing of 'enryo' (a social etiquette of restraint) which made one especially uncomfortable in soliciting help in a cause that I was included. To push further would be imposing on others and contrary to my Japanese DNA. So any funds that a polite request would bring and the rally of our two families together was more than enough for me. I was touched by their thoughtfulness and looked forward to our walk.

Much to my surprise, it didn't stop here. One by one, people joined this quest. What started as a walk of one has grown to a walk (as of today) of thirty-two. What started as a modest fundraising goal of a few hundred dollars has, through your incredible generosity, been continually exceeded and raised so that the goal is now at a very close $6,500. This group that started so modestly now stands as one of the top 10 contributors in this Sunday's walk for ALS. Others joined in to cook lunch so we could properly thank all the walking participants. And Chris, who recently completed as a gift to me, a beautiful oil canvas of my journey with ALS, called in favors to affordably produce our team t-shirts featuring the painting. I am humbled by the generosity and compassion of so many, for a cause that is not their own. I did nothing to deserve this yet you opened your hearts and gave generously of your resources and time.

Many will say "Oh, it was nothing!". Please, do not underestimate what you do. From this side, it is everything. Each person is a voice of encouragement and collectively you speak volumes to lift the spirit of a traveler on journey such as this. This path can be desolate and lonely but the chorus of your voices remind me that I am not alone. ALS is my cross, my burden that I carry for Christ. I bear it willingly in order to testify to His love. But, what I see now, is that what you have done is join together and spiritually lift the burden of this cross from my shoulders to place across your own; to share, if only for a moment, the weight of this journey with this witness.

Thank You

Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

http://webgw.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/GoldenWest?pg=entry&fr_id=8174