Do you ever feel like no matter what you do you can’t get ahead in at least one area of your life? This has been a constant struggle for me since I became a mother, but it is even harder now that I am a single, working mom to two very active little boys.

I find that when I excel at work, my house is a mess and my kids feel neglected. If I spend more time focusing on my kids, I let things drop at work. Sometimes the weight of it all is so much that I feel desperately exhausted. My legs feel heavy and weak and my soul cries out for rest.

I’ve been feeling especially weary after our Color Dash fundraiser. It was our first big fundraiser since the separation and divorce and the weight of managing it all took a toll. I am just now beginning to feel normal again several weeks later, and it is in the moments of complete exhaustion that it is easy to forget why I do this. And it makes it so tempting to give up.

I was beginning to forget my why. But thanks to an incredible man in Reno, NV and his family, I have begun to grasp it once again. Eric Dye is training for the Couer D’Alene Ironman, which will take place in August of this year. He has been training countless hours every week for close to a year to prepare for this. And all the while he has been raising money for the Olivia Caldwell Foundation in his very own “Race For Olivia.” To date he has raised more than $4,200 and inspired so many others with his hard work and determination!

Eric recently got a horrible infection from training so hard. He ended up in the hospital and was ordered to rest up. It even looked like he might not be able to complete the training and continue on for the race. But just this past week he was cleared to continue, and he has. And what’s even more inspiring is that the struggles have only increased his commitment and determination to finish what he started. I am in awe and so humbled by this man and his family, who have given up so much to honor my daughter that they never met.

Today I feel less weary and more focused than I have in weeks. Eric and Janelle reminded me that my why is worth fighting for. The long hours, stress and exhaustion are completely worth it because it means remembering my baby girl and fighting for the cure she should have had. Thank you Dye family! All of us at the Olivia Caldwell Foundation are so grateful for you!

Donate to Eric’s “Race For Olivia” today and help him reach his $5,000 goal!

The Olivia Caldwell Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that raises money for pediatric cancer research in memory of Olivia Caldwell, who passed away from brain cancer at 20 months old in October 2013. To date we have given $155,000 to pediatric cancer research. You can learn more and donate by visiting www.oliviacaldwellfoundation.org.