Detours

Well, apparently, my blog title should be "Finishing My Journey: Baby Steps of an Easily Detoured Mom." Rain and kids, and BAM! suddenly, its Friday and I need to walk 5 miles tomorrow. Doable, but I should have at least 8-12 miles from the week going into it. Sigh. But, we shan't give up, shall we? I won't, if you won't. Deal?

How Do We Celebrate?

As I got ready to go walking this morning, the thoughts about being an encourager that I mentioned in my previous post niggled at my mind. I then remembered the young college girl who was courageous enough to stop and ask me, a total stranger, how she could pray for me. And while I didn't think I wanted to stop anyone and ask the same question, I did think that I should try to cheer someone on this morning, if I could.

I was almost at the end of my walk, though, before I remembered my idea. But then I heard it. Coming from behind me, the sound of a jogger, definitely panting. Heavily. However, it was a man about my age, so I almost hesitated (Rats. Why couldn't it have been an 80 year old?), but as he labored his way past me, I revisited my resolve, and called out something along the lines of "Good job!" He turned his head a bit and called back the greatest thing, "I'm going to make 2 miles today!! Without stopping!!!" Unfortunately, I am not to0 fast on my feet (um, have I mentioned that before?), so I called back the first thing that came to mind: "Celebrate when you get done!!"

I am still not sure what I would have preferred to have said. But something like, "Don't give up!" or "You can do it!" would have made more sense. As it was, I thought, "Great. He just ran 2 miles without stopping and I just sent him out for donuts." Sheesh.

But it did make me ponder: How do we celebrate? Obviously, donuts are one way we have done it in our family. (My apologies to Ruthie who is educating us against sugar.) Celebrating with food is just the thing to do in America. And I don't think I am ready to make my family sacrifice that. Great memories can be made around the kitchen table, and try as I might, I don't think a celebratory jog will replace it, lol! Yet, coming up with better ways to celebrate seems to be a good idea.

So, what are ways --healthy ways--you have celebrated achievements in your family?

Walking Toward Health

Just because I am cancer free does not mean I am healthy. I don't want to make a big deal about this, and I don't mean to coming from a depressing point of view. But the honest truth is that this is what I am trying to keep in front of me as I take on the challenge of participating in the Cool Runnings Marathon group.

I could expound with a list, but I won't, not at this point. I think doing so would be both boring for you, and whining for me. But, let's just say that it has been my experience and the ongoing comment of my doctor, that my body went through a LOT during my breast cancer journey. And throughout the recovery period, I lost of strength in my muscles. Sometimes, it is rather alarming.

There has been a mental and emotional toll as well. I believe it is so intertwined with the physical issues that it is hard to separate. All I know, and what I am grasping for, is to live a healthy, productive, joy-filled life on a more consistent basis. And getting out there and walking, simple as it is, seems to help a lot. It seems to impact me first and the fastest emotionally, and I am trusting the physical will catch up.

This is what my blog title is all about. Finishing the journey toward health, now that I have finished the course through breast cancer. And what I need to ponder is this: My breast cancer journey was RICH. I would do it again in a heart beat. Why is this journey to complete health different? Why do I struggle with motivation, discipline, and seeing the richness in it as well? I think I need to look more deeply. Ponder it a while. And when something strikes me....or as I discover the beauty along the way, I will be sure to share it here.

Faster Than a Speeding ... um....well....

I can count on one hand the number of people I have passed when I have been out walking. Most of them have been in their 80's. One of them was a young couple walking a dog, but they were on a lover's stroll, so I am not sure that counts. I did thank them, however, as I breezed by, for being able to add them to my short list. (Really, I did. I know, it's embarrassing, but when your list is as short as mine, you appreciate the unlikely candidates to add to it.)

That is what makes tonight so amazing. In all, I passed 5 folks. Seven, if you count the two who were standing still, but even I won't count them. Okay 4, because one lady was waiting on her dog to finish doing "you know what." BUT, I WILL count the others, even if one was walking a dog whose legs were no more than 6 inches (hey, some of those little fellows move pretty fast).

I especially count the young college girl. Of course, she was wearing PINK KEDS, so I am fairly sure she was not too serious about being out there, but nonetheless, I took it as a valid "pass." I mean, she is not even close to elderly, didn't have a dog, and was walking alone, not with her head in the clouds. And, did I mention she was college aged? YES!

Really, I don't say any of that to depress the aged and infirm. Nor, am I making fun of walking fashion-istas. They WERE cute shoes, after all. What it is to say, is to point out that THIS is where I am starting from. When you have to count 80 year olds in the people you can walk faster than, there isn't much room to go but UP.

But you know, I am okay with that. Because, I am out there. Even if Weenie Dogs trot by me, at least I was out there to wave at them. And, I hope that in being out there, even being among the slowest, that I will be a person who is smiling and making the people out there with me...in the back...proud that they are out there too.

And hey, if you are 80 and out there, you are my HERO, and I thank you for your example.

Getting Started...Again

Just a few lines to say I have started. Again. In a good way. But if nothing else, it is good for us to all say we have begun again, because the opposite is not what life is about. My beginning thanks to Ruthie, our Cool Runnings Marathon coach for....well....coaching, but mostly for beginning again, herself. She talks about this on her blog, and it is worth reading!

Tomorrow, I will share why I chose this title, and this blog will get going.