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.