This morning I woke up and set off to run 10-12 miles. It was a gorgeous morning and lots of other runners were on the street. I was cruising along listening to my music but my legs felt heavy and my body was tired. I called it a day after just under 9 miles. I got home and still had plenty of time for a kettlebell workout before I needed to get ready for church. I popped in my Jillian Michaels DVD and gave it all I had.
Much to my surprise, I still had tons of time to kill before getting ready. I started a pot of coffee and hopped in the shower. After my shower, I made breakfast and watched some tv before deciding it was time to get moving. Before getting up, I changed the channel to U-Verse's new Today's Country station. The first song that came on was Sara Evans's A Little Bit Stronger. I tweeted part of the lyrics:
Doesn't happen overnight, but you turn around and a month's gone by,
And you realize you haven't cried.
I'm not giving you an hour or a second or another minute longer.
I'm busy getting stronger.
I didn't think anything about tweeting it. I love the song, love the lyrics, nothing more. It wasn't until I was about half-way finished doing my hair that it hit me. Today is May 8th. To most people May 8, 2011 meant that today is Mother's Day. To me, it meant so much more.
May 8, 2008 was the day that I ended my marriage. It was the day that I decided that I'd finally had enough. It was the day that would change my life forever. I didn't know it at the time, but I was close to hitting rock bottom, which meant that I was close to picking myself up and putting my life back together again.
As I sit here three years later, I amazed at just how different my life is. My relationship with my family is stronger now than it's ever been. My friendships with those that were around three years ago are also stronger. I've formed new friendships with so many wonderful people and I am ridiculously happy to have them my life. I've become a runner - a marathoner! I've traveled to so many parts of the country that I wouldn't have seen if it wasn't for running and I'm looking forward to exploring even more cities by foot in the years to come. I feel more alive today than I ever have.
None of these things would have been possible if it weren't for the events that lead up to May 8, 2008.
Things aren't perfect, and they never will be. May 8th still triggered tears, but not as many tears as it did last year or the year before. One of these days, May 8th will just be another day. Until then I'm going to do my best to spend everyday getting a little bit stronger.
I love you Jen. I feel so blessed to have you in my life and you are such an inspiration to me. You are a strong, amazing woman and I'm proud to call you friend.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you for being strong enough to say enough's enough. Congrats on all your accomplishments since that day!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I think you're pretty awesome, and I really enjoy your tweets!
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo! Looking back only makes you want to press on for the future! WTG! I'm so glad we're friends! You're A+ Awesome in my book!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great look back as to how far you have come...and how strong you are now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. You're not a little bit stronger. You're a whole hell of a lot stronger! I was "around" back then and I remember my heart breaking for you. You have come so far in three years. You are such an inspiration to women every where. Each year, this day will hurt less and less, but you'll always remember it. I remember my day. It's a reminder of how far you've come. I am so proud of you, Jenn and I am so proud to call you my friend.
ReplyDeletePS: We can call May 8 Jenndependance Day??
Love that song and now whenever I hear that song (video is downloaded on my iphone) I'll be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting stronger and being the best you can be.
I know that feeling of looking back on a turning point where you hit bottom. It does get easier and running helped me so much too. Happy running to you!
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