March 14, 2017

Tomorrow is my 38th birthday.  I can not believe it.  38!  I woke up happy today.  I decided to set out in the sunshine of the morning on a little run.  I thought maybe I would push it to five miles if I was feeling good.  I was all alone with my music and the rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement.  I didn't really have a course in mind.  I just ran wherever my feet would take me, enjoying the sunshine and pleasant weather.  Pretty soon I was running up airport hill, the huge cliffs soaring above me providing some shade.  I stopped halfway up to admire the landscape for a bit before turning back toward home.

High on the hill

By the time I wound my way back onto my street, I had gone seven miles.  I felt alive.  I felt strong.  I felt grateful.

Seven Miles!  I'm alive!

I texted Stalee.  She has been running hard lately.  I am proud of us both.

As I ran I reflected on my 38 years of life.  I don't feel 38.  But when I look in the mirror after a shower, I see a soft, full, white body looking back at me. Gone is the muscular, lean body of years ago. I see a few wrinkles around my eyes, and if I'm not careful, I see a few gray hairs starting to grow in.  But I'm learning to embrace this body.  I'm so grateful for where I've been, for where I am, and for where I'm going in this body.  I'm grateful for another day to feel the sunshine on my skin.  I'm grateful to take deep breaths and to run far and long.

I stood on the front steps to cool off.  I looked up at my house and saw a few of the windows propped open.  For some reason, from the very first day we moved into this house, I have loved to see these windows open.  I absolutely adore the way they open out, letting the fresh air in.  It speaks to my heart.  I stood on the steps and admired the windows.  Come in and enjoy, the house seemed to call to me.  So, I took a few tired steps inside.  But it was a good tired.  A happy tired.  I knew what I would find inside--six darling children waiting for me.  And there they were, bouncing around the family room, just waiting for me to come home.

I love the open windows!

Tomorrow I turn 38.  I still can't believe it.  But I'd say I'm one lucky 38 year old!!  Life is so good.