Hair today......Gone tomorrow

I really thought gray hair around the temples was just for men.  It's one of the first places we women notice about the opposite sex detailing their age, and often times even upping their desirability.  After all isn't this feature what made George Clooney a better candidate for the sexiest man alive? He wasn't even on the radar during his Facts of Life days.  Doesn't a man look more distinguished in this case, with wisdom ever declaring itself so casually?  Even my older brother doesn't appear his age at 44, despite his salt and pepper state.  But the long and lean fiber, extended from under my sunglasses doesn't make me feel more distinguished when I notice it,  but rather much less desirable as a woman. I know that if I pulled it twenty would appear over night in its place.  Wait...maybe it is a sign of wisdom and experience. 

Man or woman?  Think Jamie Lee Curtis

It is one of many signs that age is creeping in.  Maybe I'm feeling a little down as my morning run was interrupted by knee pain inhibiting completion of a wimpy three miles.  I'm starting to feel that the paperwork for social security and medicare is on tomorrow's to do list.  Yet I wonder why I'm fighting it.  Why can't I own my gray hair, my crows feet or for that matter the extra 10 lbs that endlessly lingers?  Why aren't my thirties the best years of my life?  Why am I not living life to the fullest and grateful for the attributes and signs proving I've lived another day on God's green earth?

More than likely these signs are the constant reminder that I'm single and the preponderance of gray only adds to the anxiety of adding yet another item to the monthly budget.  It'a the reminder that I should always look my best (Never leave the house in curlers!) because I never know when I could run into Mr. Right and that he might visualize one of these gray hairs and cast judgement upon it for bedding itself down with a washed up old hag.

Too critical?  Maybe, but do not confuse my rant with gray hair not being beautiful.  We all know beautiful gray haired women. But for me, they just stress me out.   I begin to  wonder if  the best and healthiest years of my life may just as well be behind me.  I begin to worry that I've already grown old without the love of my life. Does anybody else feel the same?  Am I starting to experience a mid-life crisis?  Do I need to go out and find a hot man and buy me that dream car without passing go?

YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!

(that must be my mother talking from the grave).

and if you were wondering.  I pulled the hair.  At least for my lunch date today.  The consequence may come tomorrow but I'll pretend I didn't notice and feel better today.  

Mile One

On Saturday, I headed out for my morning run.  A paved running trails lays behind my house bordering a nature preserve making motivation innate on such beautiful mornings.  Rows of porches line the pathway and the aroma of coffee permeates as individuals rejuvenate and watch the sun blaze up from the horizon.   A casual nod or hello is standard as runners and bikers are commonplace on the trail, but most individuals aren't distracted from the peacefulness that is easily breathed in with the morning light.

As I ran, the first neighbor I encountered started clapping as I passed.  He must have known the temptation I endured to sleep in even longer that day than I did.  His small acknowledgement encouraged me none the less further down the pathway.  A quarter of a mile later, another individual cheered me on with "looking good" comments.  This salutation admittingly made me run just a little bit stronger as I past.  A handful of houses down, an octogenarian stood exuberantly offering to spray me down with a hose. I giggled and waved him off assertively with my hands.  Did I look that bad or was he the nicest man to ever water fight?  It took me a microsecond when the next passerby retorted that I was "almost there" that made me realize I must be on a running course.  Sure enough with one glance behind me, numbered bibs dotted the pathway sporadically. The pressure suddenly mounted to run with more vigor than before.  Shortly, I came upon a sign that read mile 26, Park City Marathon.  I certainly hope I was looking good at mile 1. The closer I came to completion of the course the more exclamation of joyous hoorays I heard and I knew such triumph should be saved for the true competitors and I quickly wondered off course before the finish line.

After I finished my much shorter run, I returned to the trail behind my house.  I watched the many competitors pass and observed how their eyes lit with the slightest acknowledgement of their feat. Some looked strong while others seemed to be longing for another moment in time.  I imagined the old man right around the corner and how his unique gift must bring the must needed relief and gratitude as faces were cooled and distracted in these last final steps of the competition.  My experience running the course made me ponder about the journey we call life and the comparison between the two.  Didn't you know this was coming? Wouldn't it be nice if we received the encouraging word throughout our day, despite each of our journeys being different?  How much stronger would we be if we knew onlookers were routing for us to succeed?  On days, like mile 19, when we hit the wall and feel as if we cannot give another ounce of energy to our tasks, to only have someone give us a cup of water or exclaim with enthusiasm that we ourselves lacked, that we can indeed do it!

These words of encouragement are needed more often throughout our lives to help us retain and regain our strength when needed.  Whether it be from family, friends or even the complete stranger rejoicing and acknowledging our accomplishments.  The world would be a much easier race place.  Running a marathon without support would be even more grueling but yet our lives are far longer than just the 26 miles I am referring to and much more encompassed with hurdles and obstacles along the way.  How often do we feel that we just can't go another step?

I am committed to cheer and rejoice with others, especially those I may not know of their current route along the course. You never know when a smile, a kind word or even a hose down can help another through a moment of doubt or troubled time.  Who do you know who needs just an extra bit of encouragement to continue on the path? What do you know about the people in your life and what they are currently dealing with?  Who will you come in contact with today that needs that kind word? Who can you cheer on today?

....... all because of a Saturday morning run, and the fresh air that freed and inspired my mind for good.