Monday morning, 8:00 A.M. Colorado time. My eyes open and gaze up as the sun peers through my window. Rolling out of bed, my raisin bran is enjoyed, my teeth are brushed, and my running pack is filled…filled with water, credit card, driver’s license, emergency contact information, tissue, protein bites and granola bars, and 20 oz. of water. My running socks go on, as well as my Saucony Excursion TR5 trail running shoes. The door is opened, and off I go.
As I run down the hill and around the bend, I spot children, walking along Bear Creek on their way to school. Young girls sprint past. An older couple is walking ahead, in the same direction as me. “On your left.” I say loudly. They turn as I pass. “Good morning!” I state. “Wow! You look good!” The older woman comments. My enthusiasm and confidence is esteemed. I run faster. A park approaches, as I notice older men and women playing tennis. Around the park I go as two bikers pass on my left. I grab a water bottle and take a sip. I begin thinking.
Multiple times I have heard that Colorado is God’s country. As I glance around on this partly cloudy cool Denver morning, I notice trees…all green and thriving. I notice birds flying every which direction and prairie dogs, pausing in their actions as I run past, hoping not to be spotted. One makes a clicking sound, as a child would do with his tongue. The stream is flowing and the sound of moving water seeps through the music coming from my ipod. This truly is God’s country…this is like heaven on earth.
Another woman runner comes at me. “Excuse me ma’am,” I ask, “Does this trail go for at least a few miles?” “Yes it does.” “Thank you!” I keep going. Two teenage boys are wrestling in the grass. Shouldn’t they be in school?
Tyrone Wells comes on my ipod. “Happy as the sun, lighter than a feather, walking on the clouds when we are together. Every day with you just keeps getting better. The world’s as it should be when you are here with me.” I think about what I have. I think about the blessings that have been poured upon me my entire life. I think of the fact that I have clothes, more than one outfit by far. I have a car. Yes, it’s almost 14 years old, but it drives wonderfully! I have an apartment, food to eat, and money to spare. I have no debt; therefore I am not a slave to any lender. Do I have thousands of dollars? Absolutely not. But- I had enough to buy this airplane ticket to Denver. I have been blessed with enough to keep my cell phone and buy everything I need. I think of Tyrone’s lyrics, “Every day with you just keeps getting better. The world’s as it should be when you are here with me.” I think of how I am content. I get frustrated at times. I cry. I wonder, “Why God? Why can’t I have more?” But why? I have everything and more than I need already. I have relationships. I have the resources to maintain those relationships. There have been moments in my life when I’ve had more money than I have now. But I don’t care about that as much as I have in the past. I could be teaching in a public school district, making at least $30,000 a year. But that’s not important. I am happier now than I have ever been before. I’m happy as the sun, and I feel lighter than a feather.
Another corner approaches, followed by a bridge. I run over. Ducks. They swim gracefully in the lake ahead of me. I loop quickly around the lake, passing another group of bikers. Up the hill to the end of Sister Park. I turn, as a small, black dog meanders solo. A bench approaches. I pause, popping a protein bite into my mouth, followed by a sip of water. A father and his two sons come past of their bikes.
Down the hill, those two wrestling teenagers sit together on a bench, laughing. A few more miles pass as I approach a green soccer field of grass. It is 10:00. I lay on the grass for a few minutes, stretching and enjoying the sun as a few mothers with strollers pass. Getting up, I run back past that park with the older men and women playing tennis. They are still there, enjoying each other’s company. I recall my thoughts again of relationships, of all the people I love and have the greatest life with. I think of my friends and I laughing. I think of the video I recently uploading to Facebook, catching an incredibly funny moment with my friends on film. I think of my parents. I think of Bethany in Venezuela with Matt. I think of how valuable…so much more than money and possessions…these people are.
A few ladies I spot, probably in their 30s, talking at the park, as one holds a baby. Three small children play in their presence. I run up the hill, cross the creek, and receive a text. Kelly and I begin a conversation. I think of my friendship with her. I think of my friendships with everyone at Sun Valley…from 21 to 62 years old. I am reminded again of how I’m blessed. I’m reminded again to be still and be content.
I stop. Cool down begins. Slowly I walk. Kurtis and John’s apartment is in sight. I enter, spotting John as he hops in his vehicle. We talk for a moment. I walk up the stairs, open the door, and hear the shower. My brother is just now waking. It is almost 10:30. These are two more people I am blessed to have in my life, despite their craziness. I take off my gloves. I remove my ipod. The Monday of Spring Break has just begun.
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