CATHYPOWERS.COM
about me
Hello, my name is Cathy Powers. I’m a wife, a mom, a gold star mother, and a published author. I am also a woman of faith. A Christian. A Believer. I live off the beaten path in a small log cabin with my USAF veteran husband, “Jim” surrounded by a thick forest of trees and wildlife—a sanctuary of sorts teeming with generations of Carolina critter's who seem to be content living their best life here. For me, it’s a great life on the outside, yet here I am still learning to navigate the journey of this sometimes difficult and complicated life with both hope and heartache. As someone who has lived just a couple years shy of six decades, I've experienced my share of the good times and not-so-good times that come with time, but as the seasons continue to come and go the hardest part for me is continuing to feel misunderstood and alone. It’s definitely a flaw inside my heart and I’ve carried it with me closely—almost as a hidden handicap. I know there must be others who feel and experience life similarly so I wanted to share why I don’t just quit. Why I don’t give up. Where my super power of being RESILIENT comes from. I want to share my faith.
I am grateful for my personal relationship with Jesus. (“To simply accept Jesus, acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins, repent from your wrongdoings, and personally invite Jesus into your life through prayer; essentially, recognizing your need for salvation and trusting in Jesus as your savior”.) He’s the only hope I have and I’m all in, though I often wonder why I still wrestle with these destructive and hopeless feelings when hands down He is everything I’m supposed to ever need. I don’t know the answer to this. My best guess is He—in His strong, yet gentle loving way—fully understands my broken heart and flawed thinking. He knows my deepest sorrows and regrets. He knows my dreams and my fears and He still chooses to love me. As a Christian I know that regardless of what I see, hear, or feel—whatever my emotions conclude at any given time—I am never really alone. I know through faith, He is real, He inspired the Scripture’s, and He is God, He’s given me the gift of being a resilient soul, the gift of being a lover of people, He’s blessed me with the gift of mercy towards others which has helped me to easily forgive and accept others, and at the end of every day, Christ is the only reason I ever get to experience love, hope, joy, or peace this side of Heaven. This gives me strength and helps me not give up, or quit.
about cathy’s running
Cathy, a five time marathon finisher, is currently training for her sixth marathon—The 50th Anniversary Marine Corps Marathon in October 2025 in our Nations Capital. She was also the founder of an incredible year long running adventure (she simply made it up on a New Year’s resolution) to run in all 50 of the United States in honor of our great Veterans—Veterans of the past, present, and future. With each run she asked anyone who would listen if they would like to sponsor a Veterans wreath to be delivered by volunteers to the graves of our fallen in Arlington National Cemetery as a volunteer actually speaks out loud to “say their names” and thank them for their Service to our Nation. This same cemetery holds her own 21-year-old son, “Bryce” who is buried in Section 60. After a few social media messages and phone calls, her 1000+ mile running adventure officially kicked off with friends and family in Fortuna, California. Then she was off to Alaska, then Hawaii, and eventually she completed runs with likeminded runners in all 50 of the United States, just as she dreamed. With the help of Wreaths Across America she was given so much love and support, and many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities began to miraculously open for her, including running opportunities in Washington DC, Puerto Rico, the Navajo Nation, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. Many of her runs were on Military Bases with Active Duty Troops, Veterans, and our National Guard Servicemen and women running beside her. This was an experience like no other and an added unexpected blessing in her healing journey. She learned first hand through this experience—running mile after mile for over 1,000 miles in all kinds of weather and demanding courses without giving up—that “not giving up when life is tough” eventually pays off. Her running journey to honor all Veterans—past, present and future—was tough, an achievement in itself, but it was also a deeply humbling, life changing, endurance building, healing experience of a lifetime.
Highlights, one step at a time:
—She ran a little over 1,031 miles.
—She raised sponsorships for 11,315 beautiful live balsam wreaths for our fallen at Arlington National Cemetery.
—Veterans were hugged and kissed and “welcomed home” and lives were changed for the better.
“In order to survive you must learn how to be more disciplined, more resilient, more focused. You must learn how to be brave, prepared, and motivated. And no matter what, you just can’t quit!!! Then one day you’re out running your race and there it is, you find your ENDURANCE. We all know that grief and healing look different for everyone. For me, I try to face and embrace my journey just one step at a time, usually in a pair of cool colored HOKA’s”.
With Love, Cathy