alright, remembering i am backtracking here, this is now Dec. today is my best friend's birthday. after so many years of celebrating birthdays it is challenging to come up with an original gift. so my gift to her was the jingle bell marathon. our usual warm southern weather failed us on this day. it was a chilly thirty something, which didn't matter, as the race started we were quickly warmed. as the bells jingled and jangled, the sound, reminding me of the joyous Christmas season. we were entertained by the racers costumes, even their dogs were all decked out. we were moved by all the families and the support for such a cause. seeing strollers being pushed, daddy's lifting tired children to their shoulders, was endearing. as we made our way downtown, throughout the buildings, toward the capitol, blues skies above, how different our small city felt, from its usual day. our conversation flowed, as we continued with each step to the finish line. i was proud to spend this morning with my friend, as we did, celebrating her special day.

jingle all the way

this had already started as good day. my early morning workout had it's usual effectiveness, our day preparing for school, nice, drop off even better. i decided to make one of my spontaneous climbs. imagine my surprise to pull up to this camp. as i walked around taking my pictures, i could hear the morning campers waking up. the smell of their coffee and bacon appealing to my already hungry stomach. it was a nice beginning to my morning hike up the mountain. i felt more than my usual connection with nature, and our existence on this earth. the peak more pleasurable, the air more crisp and my breath purposeful.

days gone by

this chilly fall day, i am happy to be here at this moment for my son. our neighbor invited him to his birthday party. this is a moment, simply because, he doesn't get invited to many parties. unlike my daughter who, we would decline parties, she couldn't figure out how to be two places at once. so for wyatt, this was nice, however for me, it brings me sadness. i am grateful for these moments, for him, but selfishly i grieve for a life i wish for him.