Hello, everyone!
My name is Nicole Smith, and I'm on a mission that's deeply personal to me. On November 3rd, I will lace up my running shoes to take on the challenge of the 2024 NYC Marathon. But I'm not just running for the thrill of the race. I'm running in memory of my beloved father, who left this world too soon due to a heart attack in 2016.
My dad was the heart and soul of our family. He had a passion for life that was infectious, whether he was listening to the Mets on the radio, casting a line while fishing, or tending to his beloved garden. But above all else, he cherished his family—my mom, my sister, my brother, our dog Louie, and me.
Tragically, our family endured a devastating loss when my brother Joseph passed away in 2014, two years before my father's own untimely death. Losing Joey shattered my dad's heart, and he was never quite the same again. The doctors at the hospital on the night he passed described his heart attack as a "widow maker," but I believe it was a broken heart that truly took him from us. He had endured so much loss—his only son, both his parents, and his nephew—all before his own passing.
Through my grief, I've come to learn about the profound impact of loss on our physical and mental well-being. Research shows a correlation between grief and increased health issues, particularly cardiovascular issues. I've witnessed firsthand how unresolved grief can consume us, robbing us of the joy and happiness we deserve.
That's why I'm running this marathon—to honor my father's memory and to raise awareness about the importance of addressing grief and loss. I'm fundraising for the American Heart Association because I believe in their mission to promote heart health and research. But more than that, I want to remind everyone who has experienced loss that there is hope beyond the darkness.
To anyone who's ever felt the weight of grief, I want you to know that you're not alone. Your loved ones would want you to live a life filled with love and happiness. So let's come together to support each other and honor the memories of those we've lost.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Together, we can make a difference—one heartbeat at a time.
With gratitude,
Nicole Smith