A Screenshot-
Just kidding! I officially registered for the Air Force Marathon (Wait! When did I decide I was going to run another marathon?!) on September 17 in Dayton, Ohio. If you are thinking about this one, registration is already 85 percent full so register soon! The proof is in my second X-large screenshot:
Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads,
there lived a little water beetle in a community of water
beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond
with few disturbances and interruptions.Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of
their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and
would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their
friend was dead, gone forever.Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge
to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would
not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what
he had found at the top.When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the
surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so
warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body
changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful
blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body
designed for flying.So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole
new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never
known existed.Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking
by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and
explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been
before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could
not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he
understood that their time would come, when they, too, would
know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off
into his joyous new life!
Tears were streaming down my face as I read this story. I know my mother is in a better place and I know she would come back to tell us all about it, if she could. When will I be able to think of my mother as a beautiful, blue-tailed dragonfly who has flown away to a joyous new life? When will I be able to see her life as fulfilled and not ended? When will I find joy instead of sorrow when I think about her? I wish it was today. And yet, even with these questions, I am finding comfort in the prospect of understanding why she had to go and why she can’t come back to us, here.
Until the next mile marker,
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Good luck with the marathon training!!! I came across to your blog through someone else’s blog, and look forward to reading more about your training. Great job, girl!
There will never be an end. She will live forever in your heart. Beautiful story.
LOVE the dragonfly tale! I actually have a dragonfly tattoo. Did you know the dragonfly is a symbol of change?
AIR FORCE MARATHON!!! BE THERE, OR BE SQUARE!!! I will see you there!!!
everyone has a let down after you accomplish a goal! let your body tell you what it needs/ wants. you will crave running soon again!
don’t forget to go visit the University of Dayton campus when you are there for the race. best college in the US! GO FLYERS!
In response to your running questions: It’s only been a few weeks since Pittsburgh so it’s TOTALLY REASONABLE for you to still feel a bit repulsed by the thought of another marathon. It was tough- it’s normal to not want to put yourself through that again. But I’ll bet in the next couple weeks, the running bug will bite again and you’ll be ready to start building mileage again. You are still marathon read. Today. You don’t lose much fitness in 2-3 weeks. So, you don’t need to do a full marathon training plan. You can jump in in week 3,4,5 or wherever you need to, as long as you start in the next couple of weeks. Best of luck!
I absolutely love the Dragonfly story – so meaningful!
I’m so excited for you and your next marathon! I can’t wait to cheer all of you on – either from the sidelines or from the nursery. 🙂
Girl, you are CRAZY. And you are starting to drag me in to the depths of crazytown with you (Columbus full in 2012 for the win!). Take another week to ease in to training so you don’t burn out! You are welcome to meet me some morning next week if you think you can be up.
Wow! What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing…it touched me in so many ways.
CONGRATS on signing up for your next marathon! I have complete confidence in you and know you can do it!
have a wonderful night 🙂
That was beautiful.
As far as the marathon you’ve got my complete respect for signing up for another! As I’m a week out and shaking in my boots -I’m pretty sure I’m one and done but never say never!
I absolutely love the Dragonfly story – so meaningful!
I’m so excited for you and your next marathon! I can’t wait to cheer all of you on – either from the sidelines or from the nursery. 🙂
There will never be an end. She will live forever in your heart. Beautiful story.