To the Community That Raised Me

Looking back on my experience growing up in this town, I am always surprised at how deeply the community invested in me. I grew up listening to the children’s sermon at United Churches, I was read books by librarians at the public library, I attended Park and Rec every summer at Allyn Brook, and I was coached soccer by willing parents. The support and guidance didn’t stop as I grew older. Teachers and administrators bent over backwards to see me succeed, cross country and track coaches gave up their evenings to run beside me, choral directors spent hours teaching me how to sing (I still can’t dance). It was always a group effort and many of you watched my proudest moments, and maybe my not so proud moments. When I had my very first concert in elementary school, you were there. When I crossed the finish line at a cross-country race, you were there. When I performed at the fair, took pictures for prom, and finally walked across the stage at graduation, you were there - and you were always cheering! At times things got tough, but this town always rose to the challenge and helped carry my burden. We lost classmates, community members, and family to accidents and illness. We cried together and prayed together. We made it through it as one and when my uncle Charlie Larsen passed away this year, the outpouring of love and support was unimaginable. You taught me about God, and how to read and write, how to run, and how to persevere. But most importantly, you taught me the importance of supporting and giving to others. You may not have done it intentionally or even been aware, yet you still gave so much of yourselves to me and to every other child that has grown up in this town. I have taken this lesson seriously and this upcoming April I have the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon. I have decided to do so on behalf of Dana Farber Cancer Research in memory of my aunt Pam Larsen Mack, who grew up here in Durham and passed away of cancer. If you are interested in supporting my run for this truly amazing charity, feel free to visit my page at www.runDFMC.org/2014/juliagossner. Thank you for everything you have done for me over the years.

Sincerely,

Julia Gossner