In front of the Princess Castle at Disney World. I think this was at about mile 10.

Confidence, selflessness, loving, nurturing and diligent in everything she pursued, are only a few adjectives that describe Mrs. Alcine Kountz-Arnett, my “Granny Lee”. December 28, 2008, she completed her life-long battle with breast cancer and passed away peacefully in her sleep. My entire family had come in town (Memphis, Tennessee) for Christmas that year, wanting to see each other and also to see her since she’d been pretty sick in the months leading up to Christmas. The night before she passed, we all gathered in her hospital room to pray, sing and talk with her. Hold her hand and tell her how much we loved her. One of my cousins, her son, asked her was she ready to go, and in a very muffled, struggling voice, she answered yes. That morning, she went on to meet God and suffer no more.

The cancer she was struggling with had completely taken over her body, shutting down her organs. One of her arms had swelled up so bad that it didn’t look like it belonged to her body. She could barely speak or eat solid food. I can remember my mother drowning in emotion after seeing the woman who took her in and raised her after her mother passed away from a heart attack, bed ridden and barely moving. My “Granny Lee” was on her death bed and cancer was eating her alive.

Mrs. Alcine Kountz - Arnett, 1933 - 2008

After she finally gained her eternal peace, I learned even more about her life and how much she loved her community. To list all her accomplishments here would take forever. And to list every way she affected my life would take even longer. But, she was a powerful, determined and secure woman who believed in her family and wanted nothing but the best for her children, my mother included. Granny Lee was a beacon of light and hope in her community, she founded several organizations and was heavily involved in reading and enrichment programs, and even worked with the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” . Her testimony of God’s goodness allowed her to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

So, with all of her hard work and accomplishments in mind, I’m using my love for running and fitness to honor her memory as I aspire to run the Disney Marathon for the second year in a row. Last year, I ran on my own, with no mission in mind but to finish the race. That’s all I wanted. But this year, on January 9, 2011, I plan to complete the Walt Disney World Marathon in honor of my beautiful “Granny Lee”. Instead of running with an organization like “Team In Training” which, in my opinion, tends to focus more on just raising a certain amount of money, I wanted to run on my own but raise funds for an extremely awesome organization: The Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Half of everything I raise will go straight to this powerful organization that is empowering women everywhere to take back either lives and educate each other and our future generations about breast cancer. The other half will aid in the expenses to get me down to Florida for this wonderful race. Also, everyone who “Chips In” will have their name printed on the t-shirt I will wear for the race.

Granny Lee lookin' fierce!

If there’s one thing my Granny Lee taught me is that fear will paralyze your dreams. I was motivated to run my first marathon last year because of this very principle. If there’s something you are motivated to do, for whatever reason you want to do it, go get it done. In my case, it was a marathon. A great feat that, to most folks, looks impossible. I did the research, changed my diet, trained, got injured, overcame fear and intimidation, and went on to run and complete the marathon in the “happiest place on earth”.

It is my hope and prayer that I’ll be able to do the same this year, but with your help. Check out the “ChipIn”, RenishaRunsDisney button on the side of this page to help me honor my Granny Lee and make her proud. Continuing her legacy of power and determination to change the world around her.

Thank you so much!

Be Renewed!