opening my eyes and seeing luck

i walked instead last night and the mosquito's walked with me.  i'm still in my little abyss otherwise known as just outside of minneapolis, minnesota and yesterday i took the day off.  

living in california you tend to get a bit jaded.  i mean i suppose i knew that the unemployment rates were high and that i was blessed (to say the least) to be able to participate in races around the country while getting myself back together in one piece.   it was a bit ironic to me that i had a new sense of strength and commitment while i was "taking the night off".

so far while out here my training has consisted of running and biking by the lake while swimming in the calm waters of central minnesota.  but i wouldn't be truthful if i didn't say that last nights walk and today's stroll around the state fair didn't hit a new chord for me.  that life isn't always so nice for everyone.  that i'm lucky to be alive, happy, and healthy.  i'm lucky that i don't have to wake up everyday wondering if the orange eviction sticker is going to be placed on my front door or if my job as a sheet rock layer is going to disappear because there's no new construction.  i'm lucky to know that although i've had my heart broken its never been because my husband of ten years left me with two kids, a house payment, a truck payment and an unwanted new start.  i'm lucky that the weather isn't going to predict if i can put food on the table for my family or that i have to tell my kids no because "i just can't afford it"

there are many reasons why i decided to do this years IMSG but my retreat to middle america has allowed me to add one more. 


because i'm lucky enough.