My new 5K Philosophy

Well – I did it!  I completed my first 5K and discovered my five new 5K Philosophies:

·        I am thrilled that so many friends joined me.  Many of them also finished their first 5K today.  It was fun to hear them say they decided to do it because I was.  I readily embrace my calling to be the person that makes people say “Well, if Larla can do it, I can!”  5K Philosophy 1: God has called us to be a Barnabas (encourager) even through our greatest weakness.

·        I wasn’t the last ones across the finish line, but I think that everyone behind me accidentally walked an extra loop.  5K Philosophy 2: We don’t all run the same race in life but we all eventually reach the same finish line.

·        My goal was 1 hour.  I finished in 1 hour and 27 seconds.   I could have been an over-achiever and beaten my goal (please appreciate the irony of that statement), but it would have meant leaving friends behind and not taking our picture at each mile sign.  5K Philosophy 3: Life’s race is too short to miss walking beside a friend and celebrating life’s mile markers.

·        I ran a few races in track in Jr. High but only because there was no one else available.  I always lost, but that was OK because no one ever expected me to win.  5K Philosophy 4: Finishing a race is winning.

·        Today I wasn’t nervous about finishing because Pat had already walked the path with me two weeks ago.  5K Philosophy 5.1: Fear runs once it’s faced.

·        The highlight of the day was seeing my Pat, my Joshua, McKenzie (Joshua’s girlfriend), and other friends cheering as I approached the finish line.  I wanted to slowed down to make the moment last, but instead I ran (in public for the first time since who knows when).  5K Philosophy 5.2: Ten seconds will always take 10 seconds to past by, but the love of friends and friends can propel you farther in those seconds then you've ever traveled before.

Happy Birthday Scar!

Today is a day of celebration. 

One year ago I traded 17 pounds of cancerous tumors for a large scar. Today I have lost an additional 32 pounds and have never been healthier.

One year ago I made myself take a few painful steps in the hospital hall way.  Today I registered for my first 5K.

One year ago I knew I couldn’t go much longer feeling as terrible and tired as I did.  Although there was fear, it was not of the surgeon’s knife.  It was that life would not be better on the other side of the pain I was about to face. 

Today I celebrate scars.  I celebrate the nail-scarred hands and feet of Jesus who bore our sins on the cross.  They are the reminder of how great His love is for us and of His promise to work all things - even pain - to the good of them that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Today I rejoice in the large scar I see in the mirror from the surgery.  It is my personal reminder that although we would seldom choose physical or emotional pain, in time there is healing and joy.

Today is a day for thanksgiving and for tears of gratitude and praise.  It is a day to celebrate the beauty of scars.

Life is a DVD Player

My life has been like a DVD player the last few weeks.   There have been two very important events that caused me to hit the RECORD button so I can treasure them forever. First, my son, Daniel, got engaged to his girlfriend, Clare!  What a precious memory!  Daniel and Clare are looking at December 2014 for the wedding so I now have the perfect long-range goal to hit and maintain my final weight loss!  The other exciting news is that my niece is going to have a baby!  This little one will be the first great-grandbaby for my parents, and we are all so excited!  I must admit that I am determined that this first great-niece/nephew will never wonder if I’m his/her great-aunt because I am GREAT big.  It will obviously be because I am the greatest great-aunt ever! (Yes – I plan on doing my share of spoiling!  That means there had better be a lot more gone by this December for that “First Christmas” family photo.)

The main reasons I haven’t written for a while is because life has been on a crazy FAST FORWARD.  My sweetheart, Pat, has been sick, both boys had Spring Breaks, Joshua was in two fine arts competitions, work has been crazy, I took a business trip to TX, and there were some days I think I forgot to breathe!  (I wish I could have used the rewind button in TX.  I learned the hard way that when you are losing weight you should try on clothes as you are packing them. If you don’t, some items that were OK a couple weeks ago might be too big to wear!) 
Unfortunately, my weight loss has decided to hit the PAUSE button.  It’s almost like the minute the Chairman’s Challenge ended my body said – “OK – you made the goal, now leave me alone and let me rest for a second!”  It’s all good because I have been holding the same weight for the last few weeks.  This slight break has really helped emphasize to me that the life change really is about health.   I’m sure that the weight lost will start again soon, but 32 pounds lighter is not a bad place to pause!

 I’ve also had a chance to PLAY.  Last week I had a date with Joshua.  I taught him how to play racquetball just like I taught his dad so many years ago.  I was pretty amazed how much more competitive I was with him than when I play Pat.  Those first games will probably be the only time I can legitimately claim to have “schooled” him in any sport so I didn’t let that opportunity pass.

A quick glance at the calendar is warning me that the FAST FORWARD is going to continue.  There are trips to a state and a national music competition, college visits, Royal Family meetings, and oh yeah – my first 5K in just 20 days.  I must admit that I am tempted to hit the EJECT button on that idea, but I am going to reach for that POWER button instead!