You Can't Take My Refuge

I know I’m not alone in saying that running is my refuge. It is my outlet, a way to let go and release, it’s something that makes me feel good both physically and about myself. You can’t run and stay mad. At the end of a run things are always better. Along with fitness (and my love of food), that is why I leave the house early in the morning and go for hours, come home tired and sore, and then go out and do it again... with a smile.

I once read that if you ever want to restore your faith in humanity, to go out and watch a marathon. It is hard to feel down when total strangers line up along the route to yell encouragement. Bands plays. People hand out water, sports drinks, snacks and even beer. Spectators dress up, hold signs and offer high fives. Even if you aren't feeling the run the course, especially the finish line, is a happy place. There is solidarity, fellowship. Everyone is there to celebrate that you are stronger than you thought possible. Crossing that finish line should be a high but yesterday the most prestigious one became a bloody crime scene.

World wide, Boston is a dream many runners work towards for years. All those people's hard work, sacrifice and determination was overshadowed by a terrible act of violence. But what makes me sick is that the people who were standing at the end to support and celebrate the achievement of their loved ones were so badly injured. I was not in Boston but this is "my community" and that could easily have been my family.

A friend shared that every race she runs, she dedicates each mile to a different person. It gives her something to focus on and fight for when her legs would rather give up. Next weekend I will be attempting to fulfill step one of my Boston Marathon goal, qualifying. One of my miles will be for Boston. Along with all of you... my small following. :-)  I love you!

Making A Mark

In recognition for donations made to the Harris YMCA's Community Support Campaign dancers get to put their hand prints and name on the studio walls for a year. I know I work at the Y but it really is a fantastic organization with a strong commitment to bettering its direct community. As a member I used to feel guilted into donating. {Come one, we "give" monthly in the form of dues.} Now that I work there though, I get to see what all that money really does. Yes, membership fees go toward keeping the lights & heat on in the building, etc while every single dollar raised thru Community Support is put directly into action thru amazing programs like Beyond Limits, H.O.P.E., YReaders and Room in the Inn. As parents, we really hope to instill a sense of empathy and giving into Addie and think this is one of those things she will remember as she gets older. I hope so, and when she thinks back that the little light bulb will go off at the same time.

A Day of Red & Pink

The Preschool party was a success. The kids enjoyed the cupcakes, watermelon and strawberries all served on red plates, forks and table clothes of course! .                                                              

Dinner also had its fair share of treats. Addie tore into her present to discover a new pink dress-up dress. Followed by pink pancakes shaped like X's, O's and hearts for dinner. {Hugs, Kisses & Love!}
 

 

I am not a red roses & box of chocolates kind of girl nor do I consider Valentine's Day an extravagant gift sort of holiday so I mean it when I say it was a great day! I am also looking forward to the date night Jim inspired with his gift (a necklace and gift card to Beadlush) and we are already enjoying mine... the pancake pen used to shape our dinner and a homemade message board, (he now needs to hang, ha)! I LOVE YOU!   ...............................ard.     ...........                                      

Words of Wisdom

9/11/12

This photo grabbed my attention yesterday and of everything I read, this was something "new" so had to share:

"I could admonish you to remember, but instead, I'll ask you to consider that it doesn't matter what you were wearing, who you were with, or where you were when you heard. Your photos of flags and eagles and lights in the sky over Manhattan isn't the only - or by any means the best - tribute that you can pay to your memory of one day.

Consider instead a commitment to your community. Because really, that's the best that you can do to emulate the people that you consider heroes. They ran back into burning buildings because they were committed to their communities and their fellow citizens. So you can haul out your flag and your sorrow and your remembrances and then pack them away again until next year, but doesn't that pale in comparison to a weekly donation to your local food bank, or a monthly volunteer gig at a crisis center, or an opportunity to mentor a child who struggles? We shake our heads and bemoan that life can change in an instant; consider instead taking an instant to maybe change a life." --Karen Hatch

Commentary

Just a few comments on some blogs I follow:

Peanut Butter Runner
The title of this blog is enough for me to follow but a recent post made me chuckle  - Who has time to display breakfast for a picture let alone have the self control not to immediately dive into it?! Certainly not me!

The Daily David
David Chadwick, of Forest Hills Church, is an excellent speaker! Just love his complete clarity of things. I know I needed this one recently - "Three Tips for a Better Day"

Glacier County Honey
Blogging has allowed me to keep up with long lost friends/fabulous people and I am grateful for that. Courtney is a beautiful writer who has made me both laugh and cry, (as well as jealous of her gift of words.)

Another Mother Runner - http://anothermotherrunner.com/
Not referencing any specific posting, I just know that somewhere between the gripes of being tired and the high when the workout is over I have made some deep friendships. It is amazing how many miles we have logged but even more so how conversations flow as easily as the sweat. We all need this shirt.

Suri's Burn Book
Even Suri is talking about the Olympics, ha! I love watching the games but it is doing nothing for the already lack of sleep I get.