Monday, August 3, 2009

Life’s Rollercoaster

I have been going back and forth about writing a post for the last couple of days. Life’s been different since Jen told me the horrible news about her mom. She was so young. She was hilarious and insightful. She was Jen’s biggest cheerleader. As Annabel wrote, she was our online mom, too. Jen’s mom touched so many lives. I looked forward to reading her comments on Jen’s site every day and was so honored when she would comment on my guest days.

Speaking of comments, I still cannot get over how supportive everyone has been on Jen’s blog. As I’m writing this, there are more than 550 comments of love and support for my friend and her family. It truly is heartwarming.

I’ve cried about how difficult things must be for her family. I’ve thought a lot about all the people I love and how I couldn’t imagine living without them. I wonder if I tell them enough what they mean to me. I’ve thought about the things I want to do but still haven’t done. Life’s too short. Tell the ones you care about how wonderful they are. Get out there and do what you want. What are you waiting for? You never know what might happen.

When I sat down to write this, I didn’t really know what I was going to say. My friend is going through an incredibly tough time, and I’m supposed to talk about my silly life and the food I eat? I just didn’t know how to do it. I finally decided that it’s OK. Prior Fat Girl’s Mom wouldn’t have wanted the blog posts to stop! She wrote this to me a couple of months ago when I was experiencing the emotional ups and downs of weddings and a death in the family:

We need to focus,
keeping our eyes focused on what we are doing,
as we all ride the roller coaster of life.

Very true words. When we’re at a low point on the rollercoaster, we need to take it one day at a time. We need to keep breathing and know that we can get through this. Life is precious, so let’s go out and do something that makes us happy.

And that’s what I did this morning. Although I woke up with the headache I’d gone to sleep with, I hopped out of bed, eased into my workout clothes and headed outside. I began with a brisk warmup walk and worked up to a jog. I usually switch back to walking not because I’m tired, but because I’m bored or just accustomed to slowing down. However, this time when I thought about walking, I reminded myself that I am healthy and capable of running. I’m grateful that my body can move like this, so why not work it? I did take a couple of walk breaks on my morning trip, but only because I’m not completely a runner yet, and I didn’t want to overdo it.

Even though my headache stayed with me for most of the day (how annoying!), I felt really good about working out this morning. Exercise usually makes me happy for the entire day. Today I wasn't AS happy as usual, but it's been a tough couple of days. I can only imagine how much of a crabapple I would have been had I not gone for that jog.

Anyway, I’m gonna go drink some water, read my book and hit the hay early. I WILL NOT allow a headache tomorrow. I can’t wait to give Jen a big hug tomorrow. Peace and love to you all :)


10 comments:

  1. You were smart to get out and get some activity. It really helped me diffuse some of the stress during the week of my mom's funeral. Give Jen a couple hundred extra hugs from all of us.

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  2. I think you're right on both counts here. That life does continue, but this is a horrible stark reminder that we have such a limited time available to us and absolutely should make the most of every day, and the loved ones we are so lucky to have around us. And also, for running anyway, when you didn't feel like it, and weren't feeling fantastic - good work. x

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  3. This was a very thought inducing and inspirational post. Great job on the running!

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  4. Great post. Give Jen an extra hug for the rest of us that can't!

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  5. We (all of us) have to push through even when we don't feel like it--good for you for doing just that!

    Life is only as good as we make it. We have to appreciate it while we have it. And love the people in our lives while we have them. Thanks for reminding us.

    Give Jen a hug from me, as well. She's lucky to have a friend like you. We all are.

    Luh. ;)

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  6. Sometimes you just have to get back to doing what's normal after something tragic even if you don't feel it. Just the act of being normal makes you feel better at times. Great post!

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  7. Amazing post. The rollercoaster analogy is perfect and beautiful.

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  8. I love that comment. So true. I've been feeling the same way--like I need to take the bull by the horns and live my life to the fullest and make sure all my loved ones know that they are loved. :)

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  9. Hey! Just stopping by to say hi. Hope that your weekend is going well.

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