Off with The Braces!!!!!

Sorry i don't have a picture of me ( Logan) but about a week or two ago, i got my braces off!!!!!!! it felt sooo weird feeling my teeth for the first time since 2 years ago but it was still pretty cool. Love all my relative, Bye!!!!!!

        

        

Today is My Birthday

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY AND I’M GETTING OLD,

MY TRUE DATE OF BIRTH CAN NEVER BE TOLD.

I’M GRAY AND HAVE WRINKLES, THERE’S PAIN IN MY KNEES,

GETTING OLDER EACH YEAR IS A HORRID DISEASE.

I CAN’T SEE AS WELL AS I DID YEARS AGO,

MY HEARING IS GOING…DID YOU SAY HELLO?

MY MEMORY’S FADING, MY HANDS ARE ALL SPOTTED,

MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE ALMOST FORGOTTED.

MY SHOULDERS ARE DROOPING, I’M SHRINKING I FEAR,

I’M SLOW AS MOLASSES AND CALL EVERYONE ‘DEAR’.

BUT I’VE LEARNED A FEW THINGS, JUST ONE OR TWO,

I THINK THEY’RE IMPORTANT, SO I’LL SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

I’VE HAD TO LEARN PATIENCE, SHOW KINDNESS, BE SWEET,

I’VE TRIED TO BE FRIENDLY WITH PEOPLE I MEET.

I’VE TRIED TO BE HAPPY WHEN THINGS AREN’T SO GOOD,

I’VE TRIED TO HELP OTHERS WHENEVER I COULD.

I’VE TRIED TO WORK HARD, ALWAYS DO MY BEST,

AND WHEN A JOB’S DONE, I TAKE TIME TO REST.

I’VE TRIED TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE, ENHANCING MY MIND,

BY SHOWING AN INTEREST IN NEW THINGS I FIND.

I’VE TRIED UNDERSTANDING, WE MUST DO OUR PART,

BY GIVING TO OTHERS WITH ALL OF OUR HEART.

I’VE TRIED TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THINGS IN MY LIFE,

ESPECIALLY MY TIME AS A MOTHER AND WIFE.

I’VE TRIED TO HOLD FAMILY ESPECIALLY DEAR,

FOR THEY GIVE US LOVE AND COMFORT AND CHEER.

THESE VIRTUES, OF COURSE, ARE NOT YET ALL MINE,

FOR GAINING THESE THINGS, WILL TAKE A LIFETIME.

AND THOUGH I AM OLD, WITH MANY POSSESSIONS,

I’M STILL PRESSING ON TO LEARN THESE GREAT LESSONS.

OF ALL I HAVE LEARNED, AS I'VE TRAVELED FROM BIRTH,

IS THAT WHERE I AM NOW...IS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH.

 SO TODAY FOR MY BIRTHDAY ENJOY THIS TREAT,

I’LL TAKE OUT MY TEETH AND WE CAN ALL EAT!!!

michele

Finishing is the Reward

I am about to go out for a run. I am trying to decide, procrastinate, talk myself into or out of not going. I can either run five miles or eight. I would prefer to clean, fold laundry, organize something, or do anything else besides run.

I wonder why it is that running is such an incredible sport..when it is over. Why can't it be incredible when you are dressing for it, thinking about it, or heading out the door. It is such a mental sport; mainly talking yourself into going. You wonder why and how do people ever go running or why do they keep going back?

The reason is at the end. At the end of a run, you are grateful to be a runner. You are grateful, proud, exhilerated to be a runner. You are stronger, saner and happier when you are done. These emotions are the gift you receive at the end of a run. They drive you back out the next day and the next, in the cold, or heat, or wind, alone, always alone.

Finishing is the reward.

michele

Run the Hill

Run the hill is a phrase I use when things get hard.  Run the hill is focus.  Run the hill is determination.  Run the hill is tenacity, strength and endurance.  Running the hill is the thing you have to do to become a better runner.  On a long stretch of highway you can see the hill, ahead in the distance waiting for your arrival.  There are certain things you must do as you approach it.   You must unclench your fists and relax your shoulders.  You must straighten your back and expand your chest.  You must raise your head.  Most importantly, you must turn up your music.

As you begin the ascent, you must find a point just ahead of you to become your 'mini-goal'.  It may be a crack in the road, a sign or a post, a tree or a flower.  All you aim for is that next little goal.  It is very important not to look, glance at, or focus on the top of the hill, it is overwhelming.  You must stay focused on your 'mini-goal' until you pass it and then hone in on the next crack, tree, post or flower until again you must select a new one.  As your music keeps your pace, as your eyes look forward,  as your chest expands to receive oxygen and your head is held up to supply that oxygen, you begin to realize....I am running the hill.  Little by little, breath by breath, one leg and then the other stepping up, up, up... you are running the hill.

Those things in life which are the  hardest to do are the things we must do.  They make us stronger, more patient, compassionate, they improve us.  They give us the experiences in life which require focus, determination, tenacity and perseverance.  Doing hard things helps us to grow.  At times those hard things may seem overwhelming and so you set a mini-goal.  Perhaps solving one problem at a time, improving a fault little by little, mending a relationship, gaining knowledge, overcoming pain, hurt, anger, depression or addiction.  One hour at a time, one day at a time, one lesson at a time, one achievement at a time.   You begin to realize, somewhere in the middle of it all, the best in you is enduring...you are running the hill.

When you reach the crest of a hill and you know within a minute you are will be at the top, you must push with that one last burst of energy that is hidden deep inside of you, but is always there.  For a brief second, just an instant, you are able to see the view from the top of the hill.  The view is glorious, spectacular, breath-taking and not because of what you may see, but because of what you feel... your moment of triumph. You will feel your strength, your determination, tenacity and endurance, all of the those characteristics that helped get you to the top of the hill.

And then,you begin to run....down, down, down.  No longer is a mini goal needed, your breath begins to relax, no need to concentrate on the song to keep pace.   For a moment you have a repose, a rest from the intensity of pushing yourself, from doing something physically and mentally challenging.  And even though you know that there will always be another hill, you immerse yourself in the glory of running without effort, you feel light, you are floating, you are free from the burden of climbing the hill and all you can do is look in wonder and gratitude at what is around you. You feel like you can fly.

We cannot avoid running the hill, we must run it when it is there before us. We must not be discouraged if it not our best run, or our strongest, or fastest or our most successful. Running the hill will be different every time, because all hills are different.  The constant lies in us and the tools we use from experience, to make the run bearable, to finish.  Remember that each time you run the hill, you become a stronger you.

Run the hill, run the hill, run the hill.. is what I repeat over and over in my mind as I make the climb... both in running and in life.
michele