Sometimes I realize how lucky I am and it stops me in my tracks. I’m on the way down the hall to fill up my water bottle at the drinking fountain and I get half way there and I just have to stop because I’m nearly consumed by the thought of just how good I have it.
I am still high from all the feelings of the relay experience. I just can’t believe the way twelve people can come together and accomplish something with such strength and humor and spirit. And it doesn’t just stop there, I have a wonderful family, too. A family who watches my dog while I’m away and waters my flowers and brings in the mail. I wouldn’t be able to have half the freedom I do without the foundation they provide. And a grandmother who turns eighty-one this week. Eighty-one! I’m just amazed by her, and her stories and wisdom. I’m so thankful she’s healthy and here to share with me.
And I have friends, near and far. Running friends, school friends, and yes, even blogging friends. I do consider that a friendship, you know. We learn together, laugh together, share some good times and some crap times. That’s got to be one definition of friendship and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not.
Things like this are so easy to overlook if we aren’t careful. We can be so driven to what’s next that we forget to take stock in what’s right now. I don’t want to forget that. I don’t want to be the girl that’s so upset she didn’t win a trip to Mexico on the radio this morning that she forgets she has plans every night this week with friends and is going to sing [badly] at the top of her lungs at a concert on Saturday. And I am so definitely not that girl because do you know how long it’s been since I’ve gone to a concert? At least three months and that, my friend, is far too long.
There have been some bad times lately. Some disappointing people, some crud so deep even your tallest boots would fail you but you know, today is just one of those days where it’s not front row. Yeah, those troubles are out there, looming somewhere. But all I’ve got to do is let them be, let them stay out there in the back for the moment. You see, there are these bright, blazing lights shining up front here and for now, that’s all I need.
Maybe it’s just a life full of plans or having just come off a great running experience but my gosh, I have some good stuff and good people in my life and I’m just so incredibly grateful I can barely stand it.