Almost ten years ago, my grandpa, “PaPa Jim,” passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s. This year, my sisters and I are honoring his memory by running the Chicago Marathon and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association. For many of us, it will be our very first marathon—and we can’t think of a better reason to run than for PaPa Jim’s Team!

The photo above shows my grandpa proudly hanging our family’s “Johnston” sign at our cabin up north in Wisconsin—a place he cherished. Every visit as kids, he would have us close our eyes and crouch under the “Candy Tree.” As we thought good thoughts, candy would suddenly appear—courtesy of “magic squirrels” rustling through the woods (though their footsteps always sounded a lot like PaPa Jim’s). He brought joy, humor, and a playful spirit everywhere he went.

While I miss him very much, it fills me with pride to carry his spirit forward every day... and every mile in the Chicago Marathon!