Homecoming

Sister-in-law was evacuated from the Big Easy on Thursday night. My husband got the call that evening at about 10:00 p.m. that she had finally boarded a helicopter and was transported to Lafayette, Louisiana en route to Houston. Early Saturday morning she flew out of Houston to Georgia where she and her family will begin anew. We saw her on Saturday afternoon. She looked weary, but was in relatively good spirits considering the conditions she had endured in the previous days. The biggest evident emotional scar during our visit was her aversion to canned peaches, given that she had survived the past several days on canned fruit and snack crackers. There was just such an utter sense of relief now that she's away from New Orleans. Sister-in-law and family have been blessed with acts of kindness; someone has offered them a spacious house that was for sale to live in immediately. The hospital where she worked has been extraordinarily supportive; she stands a good chance at beginning a job here soon. Many folks with whom my husband and I work have offered to help in any way they can. We sent brother-in-law away today with one of our vehicles to use for as long as they need it, as well as some toys a co-worker of my husband's provided.

On Friday night, we were able to take brother-in-law and his father to an Atlanta Braves game. Husband scored some spectacular tickets at the last minute. We were seven rows back from the third baseline near the dugout. We achieved the intimacy of a minor league game at a major league ball park. We could count the whiskers on Ken Griffey Jr.'s face. Chipper Jones hit a home run just after I shouted "Come on, Chip-pa!" I'd like to think I had something to do with his success.

I guess I can talk a bit about running now. The Braves game threw me off my "schedule." But, I need to be more flexible in life, so the Braves game was great. I had my first 20-miler of the training cycle on Sunday. It went fairly well, but slow. By the way, Garmin Forerunner unit number 4 and counting has recently bit the dust. Just like the last one, the unit has become possessed and turns itself on and off. I've sent a note to Garmin, but I've given up hope on finding a working Forerunner. For now, it's just me guessing mileage and a watch. I plan to do some timed workouts at the local track (I'm not looking forward to my 12 mile pace run on Sunday). Nonetheless, the Garmin's failure is yet another sign that I need to be more flexible and take life less seriously. Now must be the time of year for butterflies. I've seen them everywhere and see at least one on every run. The butterflies are my constant pleasant reminder of the beauty of change.


I'm worried about how I'll do with this marathon. I've reached a juncture where I don't think I'll attempt a spring race because my body needs a break. I've forgotten what it's like not to be sore.