Uninspired/Inspired

Words of encouragement give lift to a heavy heart

I've been forcing myself out the door to run lately. I've been hitting the snooze button. Shaving off a mile here or there. I've been uninspired to run and I've run angry and fearful. That is not the kind of running that I love to do.  I had forgotten why I started training for this marathon in the first place.

But then on Saturday, I was off to visit the village.  I got off to a late start because of a scary incident with Boy Wonder and finally was off to get my guuurll, C. and drive off Thelma and Louise style. (Sorry Brad Pitt does not make an appearance.) And on the Merritt Parkway, I lost it, at 80 mph, because once in a while the enormity of what has become my life can still sneak up and overwhelm me when I least expect it.  And C. keeps her cool and talks me off the ledge because she gets what I'm saying and more importantly, what I'm not saying.

C. and I arrive and everyone else begins to show up too. There's hugs and so good to see yous before we all settle in to chat, laugh, cry, coin new catchphrases (that's a celery flower, bitch), cheer each other up and umm maybe there was some singing. And but most importantly we talk about our kids triumphs and what they're doing and I'm reminded again who I'm running for because it's not about me. And my friends tell they are proud of me for running for our kids and for me it' so small compared to what they've done for me. 

And this morning, I ran inspired on happy feet. Inspired by women, who snort, honk, cluck and moo and who just get it.  And who sent me on my way Sunday morning with a remembrance of what friendship and a giant metal chicken can do.