Gratitude

This weekend was beautiful.  Nicole got married right on the mountain that she calls home as a snowboarder and it was breathtaking.  Seriously, where else do you get to ride the ski lift to the top of the mountain for the ceremony and then get to ride the alpine slide back down to get to the reception and party?  Of course, not everyone was required to brave the slide, but all of the COOL people did it.  Even I rode it in my high heels and pencil skirt, so yes it can be done and yes the bride rode down in her dress.  And you should have seen all of the flowers.  They were amazing!  Of course I'm probably biased because I got to spend 3 hours immersed in them helping to put everything together.  The theme was "vintage rustic" and there were every kind of wildflowers you can imagine straight from a local farm.  We had fun with that project and we did a pretty rockin' job, if I do say so myself.  Nicole is one of the most resourceful people I know and she pulled off an amazing wedding on a very tight budget.  She's been one very busy gal, but it all came together when it counted.  I hope that it was everything she's dreamed of.  It was beautiful, but simple with a little bit of both Tom and Nicole's signature senses of humor.  Oh Tom!  We all love you.  You are quite a guy.  There were plenty of yummy cupcakes, a candy buffet featuring Nicole's favorite candy, Frooties, and all of the classic cheesy dance songs.  Yeah, I haven't done the Macarena and the Boot Scootin' Boogie since probably High School.  It was just relaxed and fun.  I think the most entertaining part was watching the flower girl (my niece Courtney) dance with all of the groomsmen until they were ready to drop.  She was in heaven!  Nicole you were a stunning bride!  And you are an amazing woman that will continue to inspire me, not only because of your example on the snow and all the obstacles you continuously overcome, but because of the beautiful person inside and out that those obstacles have helped you to become and all of the dignity and grace that you show no matter what you encounter.  I wish nothing less than the very best things for you and all the happiness your heart can hold.

With that in mind I'll take just a moment to get back to the running.  I am finally starting to get back into the swing of things I think.  I have not yet run any races.  I am tentatively hoping to find a race for the last Saturday in June, that's 2 weeks away.  I won't be able to do the Color me RAD race I had planned on because I need to go support my son Cody as he participates in his first Irish Step Dancing competition on the same day as that race.  He's pretty excited and he's actually pretty good too.  That is one lesson that I've needed to learn, balance.  Last year was awesome, my determination and motivation were riding so high and it took a really high level of commitment in order for me to get from having never run before to running not only my first 5k but pledging to race each month.  But now I have caught the running bug and I want to run so much, but I have to do other things sometimes instead.  That's kind of hard for me.  But I have found myself giving up runs I had planned on because I just really needed to stay home with my family and Cody that night.  Now that summer is here it is getting too hot to run during the day (and Cody is out of school) so I'm going to have to figure out how I'm going to fit in runs.  I just might have to bite the bullet and get up super early in the morning so I can go before my husband leaves for work.  Anyone who knows me, will know this is a very difficult thing for me to do, but if that's what it takes, so be it.  I'll figure it out.  Please never mistake any of this as less of a determination or passion.  I think we all know that life has many seasons and running came at me at a turning point, a new season.  But as with all seasons, they don't last forever.  It's kind of sad for me.  I wish it could always be the way it was at first, but now I'm entering a time to learn whatever new lessons running has in store for me.  Coming up in July is the Legacy Midnight Run, which is the same race that was my inaugural run a year ago so I will definitely be running that one.  I've been planning on it ever since I crossed the finish line.  And I'm super excited because I will have my SIL Corrie and brother Jon to join me.  Let's see if I can sucker anyone else into it....
This is a FUN race.

One of the things I'm looking forward to most though is this:http://instagram.com/p/acVIcBNkZo/
Take a look.  Nicole got her first running leg!  Best day of my life ever, besides seeing Nicole compete at the Paralympics will be the day that we both cross the finish line at a race, together.  She kicked around the idea of getting a running leg a while ago, but when she revealed that she had actually gotten one I freaked out.  She tried it on and says she has a long way to go.  First thing is she has to get it fitted right.  But I just know she is going to be giving me a run for my money one of these days because, well, this is Nicole we're talking about after all.  Pretty awesome sauce!

My song dedication for this post is going to reflect the general feeling of gratitude I have experienced over this past year.  And also remind me to be thankful more often in the times when it is most difficult to be thankful.  There are a million little reasons for us all to be filled with gratitude every day of our lives no matter what the circumstances might be, no matter how difficult or trying times might get.  Running, and the time I have spent not being able to run, have taught me to be more grateful.  Nicole has taught me to be more grateful.  All of the people who have influenced my life or expressed their support in my endeavors have taught me to be more grateful.  Even all of the downright painful things I have had to go through have taught me to be more grateful, in fact those things have probably taught me most of all. I have spent too much time living my life in fear of the unknown, stuck inside my own self, living for tomorrow, not realizing what is right here today that won't be there tomorrow.  These are some of the lessons I have to learn.  I am finding that running seems to be a great teacher.
So here is the song.  It is "Thankful" by Josh Groban.  Maybe you can take a moment and think about how grateful you are and see what lessons your life is trying to teach you.  Have a beautiful day!