Earlier this evening, I headed out for a run. It's common for me to do so in the late afternoon because it works with my schedule and I seem to be well suited for a run at that time of day. I am often contemplative and the necessity to regulate the rhythm of my breathing, keeps me calm and serene. I don't know whether it is my increased mileage or the speed work I did the day before, but I pushed myself harder and faster than normal. I tried to be aware of my pace because I didn't want to run out of umph too soon.
Technically, I am not fast nor will I ever be but tonight I felt swift and strong. I realize despite my belief that there most certainly had to be flames bursting from the heels of my shoes, I was simply moving along at a faster than normal pace. I still enjoyed the cheering section in my brain as I made my way along the trail. When I had reached mile 2, I felt it. "It" was a burning in my left quad and it was sending pain down to the top of my knee and it hurt like hell. Always looking out for me, Rick cautioned that I not push too hard and risk injury but I wanted to push dammit. I had to stop to allow traffic to speed along M-91 so I rubbed my leg with the hope of alleviating the burn.
I safely crossed the intersection and started along, again at a good clip. Truthfully, the faster my stride, the better my leg felt. It was then I got into my zone. It is at this moment when my lungs and legs work in unison and I can feel the sheer joy of strength flow through my veins. I also can start to do what I love most about running and that was to pray. Before heading out, I read a friend's Facebook status that her friend's child had been diagnosed with leukemia just today. Prayers had been requested and it was all I could do.
My burning leg seemed so petty as did my fretting over finances or fussing about the size of my waist. All of my grumblings over the mundane were deemed immediately moot. Not only did I pray fervently for this sweet child of God to be healed, but that her parents be comforted. I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for my healthy children and for my own good health that was pushing me along. I thought of the saying, "Well, at least you have your health," often offered to someone who has lost nearly everything. It really takes on a new meaning. How good does food taste if one is unhealthy? How lovely are new clothes when too sick to get dressed?
I have never had the honor of meeting the lovely blue-eyed, blonde child whose cherubic face is now my friend's Facebook cover. I have met her mother once in person, after interviewing her over the phone about exciting painting projects she had undertaken to personalize her daughters' rooms. I thought of how I can guarantee that her mother would switch places with her child in an instant. There is no doubt in my mind that she would be willing to take the burden of undergoing treatment to save her daughter from having to do so.
Before I headed out the front door to hit the trail, I hugged each of my boys tightly, kissed them and told them how very much I love them and that they mean the world to me. It's likely there will be some frustration tomorrow and perhaps a little bickering, but it will not change the fact that I love my children unconditionally and whole heartedly. Please pray for the Town Family of Greenville. Keep little Bree in your prayers for healing and that her parents be comforted and supported while they love their precious girl through this scary time in their lives.
