The weekend started out helping a family move; a family who has become dear to my family. I was thrilled to hear today that unpacking is progressing rapidly! Who can stand to live with boxes all around for too long, eh?!
One of the more unique aspects of the weekend was the Iron Man organization brought their half Iron Man event into my stomping ground. I had several people I know compete, but it gets even better! One of them finished first in her division. FIRST. She is one of those rare birds who speeds up as she passes through the gauntlet. After swimming 1.2 miles, she cycled 56 miles with around a 22 mph average .... AND then proceeded to run 13.1 miles at a pace of 7.5 minute miles! UN-stinkin'-real! I thrill at her achievement because she, as a mother to three, did not start the competitive journey until about six or seven years ago. Her dedication and determination to do her best shines through, but honestly, I believe when she competes, the race simply showcases how she conducts her life day to day. That's just how it works. "Iron Men" are not made in a day.... they are made through a long series of days, stacked end to end for months. Her life in that realm is a wonderful demonstration of the mantra found on the collage at the bottom of this entry: "Do it now. Sometimes 'late' becomes 'never.'"
To EACH person I personally know who competed in the half Iron Man this past weekend, YOU shined bright and bold, finishing the tremendous challenge and earning both the title and the medal! HATS off to EACH of you!
Now to convey a bit of humor:
As "ladybug" (I haven't consulted her with the use of her name, so we'll call her "ladybug" for the sake of the story.) crossed the finish line and registered her first in her division, I beamed! Brian was unaware that I was tracking the progress of those I knew online. Well, when I saw her achievement, I leaped up from my seat and said to him, "I've got to go put balloons on the mailbox." So quick as lighting, I slipped on my flip flops and drove the two mile stint to the local grocery store, had them blow up a few "congratulations" balloons, zoomed them by her house, tied them to her mailbox, and arrived back home. All of that took me no more than 20 minutes. Well, I walked into the door and said, "Done!" To which Brian said, "I want to see them." A bit perplexed at this point, I remained quiet, thinking, "What does he mean he wants to see them? They are not here. They are at her house." As I am thinking this thought, I saw him walk to the front door and open it, then he turns to me with his OWN perplexed look and says, "Where are they?" Then the whole scene rolled together and I had the "ah-ha" moment. Through my chuckles, I said, "They aren't here. They are on ladybug's mailbox.You thought I was going to go get birthday balloons for myself and put them on our mailbox?? Well, that would have been weird!" He said, "Well, I thought so, too, but I wasn't going to say anything." Love that man of mine. LOL!
The celebration has continued into this week with precious lunch and supper dates with treasured, and I mean t.r.e.a.s.u.r.e.d, sisters-in-Lord. You ladies bless SO much. Thank you for making my birthday memorable. Each of you have stood by me through thick and thin, dessert and downpours. My love for each of you only grows richer as the years tick off! As the expression in the middle of the collage states: I "do not regret growing older. It's a privilege denied to many."
Deborah
No comments:
Post a Comment