Surprises

This post should come with a warning sign as emotional and boring, but its what is in my heart right now.....

What an emotional roller coaster life can be. The last two months have been for sure. Im not good at the emotional stuff. I can roll with it but I get quiet. I turn to struggling with becoming a hermit. Which isnt a horrible thing but its the old me. Not the person I have become since moving to ND....So I am taking back control and pushing myself back out there.

Saying goodbye to people we love, some for reasons out of our control and some for better life choices for them. Watching life take changes that we may not see as positive at first but realize later was.Watching even more people that we love hurt and physically grow weaker. It wears on a person. I am so thankful though that I have made some positive relationships that comfort and support. I hope I do that for them too...

This last week Wonderful Hubby decided it was time for a much needed break. He surprised me with 2 tickets to NYC. Just the two of us. At first I was not so thrilled...Actually in truth I was kind of irritated. When you live in ND and take "breaks" you would like those breaks to be of a warmer climate.

I just did NOT see the big picture. Sitting in our recliners watching the news and I was TRYING to find a positive thread to going to NYC the news came on. This is where the whole weekend took an unexpected turn. Sunday of our visit was the ING NYC Marathon....WHOA........Now hubby is NOT a runner..Far from it in fact.Very supportive of me but the whole sport boggles his mind. The look on his face was priceless, I am sure the look on mine was too. I really try hard not to talk him into a coma over running but its hard. I know that glazed over look...Most of you know that look too. :)......

Not even 10 minutes after I realized what I was going to be able to view first hand came the second best news. At the Marathon Expo was going to be the viewing of the Princess Half Marathon medals that had just that day been released! This may not be exciting to most but for me this is an emotional journey. I am running for my dad. For heart disease that takes your loved ones from you WAY too soon.For cancer and watching my sweet sister and friend fight for her life so that she can run too. For two beautiful little girls with Rhetts disease and the parents that would love to see them run. I run because I CAN when others cant.

I have quilted for myself but I also have quilted for others. Its wonderful being able to give a piece of your heart to someone you love. Quilting is a huge part of my heart. Everything I have ever done has of course benefitted me but has always benefitted others also. Running however I can say is completely, selfishly ALL mine. Its solitary (even if the hormonal teen is running with) , its quiet, its reflective, and it makes me feel strong. It gives me the strength to battle the other struggles. 

So while I vowed to not ruin W.H.s whole weekend with running I knew it had to be part of mine. We got into the cities and bless his heart he took me straight to the expo. I dont think I could ever explain to anyone the feelings of seeing the people. You would have to experience it. I didnt even care to buy anything. Anyone that knows me may be shocked by that. I just wanted to find that Run Disney booth. W.H. said one moment I was at his side and the next moment I was gone. I saw that booth and those medals hanging and I lost it..Picture blubbering mess here it was the ugly cry.Thank heavens I wasnt the only one......

 Wow.....Isnt she beautiful!I even got to hold her. I kept to my promise to myself. The rest of that night and Sat was all about hubby and I. He spoiled me rotten too so I cant complain. Shopping at Macy's and even found my favorite store White House Black Market...We ate at all our favorite restaurants and discovered a couple new ones. I kept a tight reign on the running talk...Or I tried to at least.

Sat night I just couldnt sleep. I had nerves for people I didnt even know! I watched the news until I fell asleep with the remote and woke up to hubby making sure it was on the live broadcast channel..I knew we would go find the runners on the course at some point but to watch the start I would of had to be in Staten Island....I had the hardest time leaving the T.V....NYC did a beautiful job hosting this and should be so proud.. After it being canceled last year after hurricane Sandy and to honor the runners from Boston..I sat and cried as I watched all the beautiful stories.I couldnt pick out one as my favorite. I know that every one of those runners ran with their own, over 50 thousand of them.

We finally headed to find a spot where we could view them. W.H did his research and found the perfect place. Right after they came across the bridge into Manhatten. It wasnt over crowded. I would say mainly family and friends and I couldnt of chosen better..

You cant really tell from this photo as its too dark but the lower level of this bridge is a sea of beautiful runners. I again stood and cried like a baby. Then I added this to my bucket list. Someday I will be one of them. I wish that I could of stood at that finish line and congratulated every one of them for their hard work, strength, and determination.

 I loved seeing the runners all over Manhattan Sunday night and on our way home Monday. Yes I was the one smiling at you like a goofy stalker. I was the one who wanted to tell you way to go but got teared up and couldnt...WAY TO GO.....26.2 miles and let me tell you it was not the best temps...Thank you W.H. for a gift I didnt see as a gift. For reminding me of inner strength and that each one of us has our own inner struggles. Now its time to get back out there and put the grrrrrrrrrrrr back in my life....I am blessed with so much in my life...