Reflections

I've spent much of the past 10 days or so in a reflective thinking mood.  Most of it due to anniversary dates I wish hadn't come.  I hate the word anniversary for sad events, somehow in my mind, I think they should only be for happy things.

First of course was the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. I spent much of that Sunday this year reflecting and praying.  I watched some of the memorial coverage and thought of how one day (just a few hours in reality) had forever changed the world.  But more than that as I listened to the names read, and saw those families with their fingers tracing the names of loved ones, I was struck all over again that this event had forever changed those families.   Forever thankful to our military and our first responders who are heros always.

The second anniversary date happened on Monday, with the 5th (how it world has it been 5 years) of my friends Angela and Shayne's precious daughter Christi's death.  She was just 9 years old and she died of a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.   I met Angela through the blog she kept (and still does) about Christi and her family.  Is it unfair that Christi died in my mind- you bet it is! But Christi is 100% cured, healthy and happy in Heaven, no doubt of that. 

In an awesome irony I found out that my running buddy Stacy knows Christi's family too! Her Mom worked with Angela on some education committees.  Did Christi have something to do with us becoming morning running partners.  So closely matched in temperment and personality, so much in common, running the same exact race (without even knowing it first).  I know God knew exactly what I would need this training season, He knew I would need some morning running partners so He sent me Stacy, Dana and Amy.  In the hot humid summer we have had having these ladies to run with has literally saved my training. I know there is no way I would have gotten in near as many runs as I have without them to meet me.  God in His infinite wisdom knew what I needed, and He gave it me.  

So on Monday when we finished our run, we stood in the still, dark morning and blew kisses to Heaven for Christi as I told her we loved her and we missed her, and Stacy asked for her to send us some strength.

My ultimate reflection these past two weeks, is that life is short, we never, ever know what tommorrow is going to bring- so we should enjoy the miracle of the momement.  Thankful for momements this week that have brought me joy!

Run on Friends,
Heather

"Enjoy what you have while you have it." Christi