Still on Cloud 9

I'm still high as a kite from Sunday's "activites." We got a call from my 5 year old's teacher tonight. She wast talking about what he wrote in his journal on Monday. Yes, they journal in kindergarten. I didn't know that. Well, she said he wrote about his daddy running a marathon this weekend. And she was so surprised that he spelled marathon correctly. She said, "Where did you learn how to spell marathon?" He said, "It's on my daddy's medal. He got a medal." So, she said the journal said something like "sunday, I went to the marathon. My daddy ran a marathon. He was tired. He got a medal." And that was it. LOL!! Man, it just keeps getting better and better. I'm luvin' it!!!

I've tried several times since Tuesday to come up with the words to express my appreciation and love for my running family and all those who encouraged me this past year. This past year!! You know, it seems like January 15th was actually the new year for me. I remember when January 1 came along and people around me at work and everywhere were looking back at the past year and thinking about what was accomplished and making new goals and looking forward to new challenges. I remember thinking to myself, "Hey, this year ain't over yet. I'm still working on this marathon thing." I remember not feeling right about closing the book on "last year" when so much of last year was about this thing coming on January 14th.

Well, now that it's done and over, I've been reflecting on this past year and the wonderful friendships that I have made and the good and the tough times we've all gone through together. I'm tempted here to take a stoll down memory lane but I doubt seriously that I'd do it justice so I'm going to keep it here, in my own heart, for me. Thank you all for sharing your lives with me. Thanks for the laughs, the tears, the advice, the encouragment, and the oft needed kick in the pants. Ice baths, IHOP, racing in the rain, Christmas lights, the GRB, trail running, barber shops, Coverlet bandaids, the Westpark bridge, the word "frivolity", Homer Simpson, yahoo im emoticons, bling, parking lots that are too full, restaraunts that are too packed, 205's, 305's, 201's. For the rest of my life, these silly things will have special meaning to me. I'll never forget this year and what the Striders and bloggers and so many other friends have meant to me. I've got to admit, it's been a hard year. A lot of hard work. NO WAY I could have accomplished a small fraction of what I have accomplished for my future and my family without the support of so many.

Ok, my kids just came in and asked my why I'm sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm just happy, I told him. Happy to have some good friends."

I love you!

Vic