Seven Miles With A Smile

Over the weekend on Saturday I passed another milestone for myself. I was able to walk seven miles in two and half hours. I was still smiling and laughing as my husband and I finished up last mile. I reached a point where that adrenaline rush and endorphins kick in and I forgot the pain in my Achilles heel for a short while. I was elated that I had kept up my endurance, and I was not feeling as bad as I had after the six miles last weekend. The elation soon went sour after I sat down and tried to get up and I felt as if I were in a bent over position of an old lady. My knees sounded as if I had forgot to oil them. As I tried to walk across the room, Laney reminded me that I might want to do some stretching exercises to limber up the old joints. She demonstrated as she put her hind legs out and front paws forward stretching as her body elongated. I noted that even her tongue stretches as it comes out her mouth and curls up on the end. Then she springs to her feet rolls on her back and moves like a snake across the floor. The finale is when she springs back to feet and does a full body shake. I thought maybe I should try it, but figured that I might show her up. HaHa!! It is a nice excuse as I feared if I got down on the floor I may have been there until the marathon in January. So, I did take advice from Laney about stretching and started my own routine today and feel much better. Thanks Laney for keeping me on my toes.

Chosen

My mother has now been passed eight years. It seems as though it was just yesterday that I stood in the emergency room hallway by myself. Leaning up against the wall to support my exhausted body and mind, I closed my eyes to escape for awhile. I had spent many days at the hospital in the last years of her life. The staff knew me and I felt as if I should jump in and help them, but I was relieved that someone else was taking care of my mother. As I stood there a nurse placed her hand on my arm and said, "There are people in life that are chosen ones." She then looked into my eyes and said "You are a chosen one." I remember being so tired and wondering just exactly what she meant. I believe she meant I was suppose to be there, because I was strong and the right person to help my mother in her final days. For a few minutes I wished she had meant I was chosen because I had won the lottery, a trip to Paris, or maybe just a day at the spa to be pampered. Needless to say I have remembered that moment and it has given me strength to do many things that have been challenging.

I have been placed in that chosen position also as caregiver to my husband. Over the past fifteen years of his waxing and waning with lymphoma, I have spent many hours and days sitting in waiting rooms. I often wonder how many hours it has been. A journey that has been very lonely. Sometimes, I wished that my crossword puzzle book could talk or that I would wake up to find it all a dream. None the less I have thought a lot lately how great it is to be a chosen one. A chosen one is driven to do great things. They cherish everyday, find the good in everyone, and love all those close to them. They aspire to walk in marathons and raise money. They choose to stand up to cancer.

I believe Laney was a chosen one to give my husband and I much comfort, many laughs, and a reason to get up everyday. She has been a great companion for my husband and of course she has let me cry many days with no judgment. I hope everyone has the chance to be a chosen one and see how beautiful life is. I declare to the world how privileged I am to be my husband's chosen one. I love you!

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