Sorry to Interrupt My Scheduled Broadcast .....

.... but a month of thankfulness and gratitude is upon us (at least in the US). The true leader of my Clan has laid down the gauntlet in her own way. Her way, is typically by example. Loving and caring examples of life. She rarely speaks in demanding terms or general orders given. Well, unless it involves which part of the house needs to be cleaned a certain way :). Which, all in our house are very grateful for! Yet, as the day progressed yesterday, it became very clear - crystal clear how much her example on this matter has sunk deeply in my soul. Sunk, or should say hit me like a rock on the head, so I cannot forget.

Yesterday, my wife decided instead of just going all out with the typical signs of the time so to speak. The interior house decor and the Thankful greeting on the front door. She wanted to concentrate on us! The inner feelings of Thankfulness and having an attitude of Gratitude. Not just for a day, or month, but every day and every month.

A feeling of this

goes a long way in always having this in your life.

So, the goal here for me - go the rest of the month with a posting expressing my Gratitude through Thankfulness. I will still blog about running. This is a running blog ;). Yet, at least once a day, along with the Bits and Pieces of my running (not everyday) - Gratitude will find it's way. Find it's way separate in postings or in running posts. I will warn you though. Some might be serious, emotional and heartfelt. Not an all out Crying Scene (Aztec Camera), yet hopefully something that says who I am on this one. Other postings, will be ridiculous, as in who in their right mind would ever be grateful for that!? Yet, that is ME as well.

So, considering I have time on my hands again today - here I go with my first. Firstly speaking as well, I don't want to lose you dudes on this one. Yet, I cannot begin any message of this nature without saying thanks to the Women in my life. NO life I know right now would BE - without the Women who made it happen and make it happen.

Mom!

1) Life begins with you. She is no longer with me, yet a day does not go by without thinking about her or should I say feeling her presence in my life. Maybe it is the fact, your Doctor, close friends, and many others said you should not have had me. Meaning after 5 labors and births previous, your health at the time, your age - they all said not this one. It could kill you. After a lot of prayer, and determination that something Special was inside her now and needed this life - the decision was clear. Thanks Mom, I love you. I love you for the life you gave me and I have had. My ever eternal gratitude for you is unmatched. My greatest example of selfless living. By the way, she lived 34 more years after giving me the gift of life.

My Wife!

2) Every day since I have met you my love for you has grown and grown. Yep, that sounds cliche'. Yet it is true. Here is why. You said Yes! Yes, without hesitation. You have said Yes! every day since. Meaning you trust me, believe in me. I adore you and I know you have the same for me as well. You know I love you and you know I love our marriage and companionship. You have taught me the continued need for selfless living. You have taught me through your smiling eyes more than I have thought possible. You are my rock! My daily Gibraltar!

My Daughter!

3) Silliness, Happiness, Apple of my Eye, tremendous potential, laughter, sweetness, and strong. You have made me a better person and the Father I never thought I could be. I can't wait for the rest of your life to unfold as you become ALL whom you will be. Wait a minute! What am I saying? I want you to always stay the way your are today. Sunrise, Sunset as the great song says - I know that will not happen. Yet, you will always be just as you are now to me.

4) My Sisters!

I have four of them. My Mom told me once, take that one great quality you see in each. Then go forward looking for each one of those qualities in any Women you meet in life. Once, you find all four in one Woman - you have THE ONE for you. From the Unconditional Love my oldest Sister had, the determined laughter through hardships my Second Sister had, the relentless passion for life my Third has; and the quiet, smarts for living my youngest Sister has - has given me a blueprint for life. Plus, raising my own family.

5) So Many Others!

Yes, there are other Women in my life growing up and right now. Most all have left, and our currently making a fun and profound impact. All big and small - and both at once. Too many times even the smallest impact from years ago, has made a huge impact today. From happy friendships, relationships both long and short, education, and work - I owe so much.

In case you have not noticed by now - I am partial to Women who run. Sorry guys, I really think genetically speaking, overall they are better at this than us. I am not talking about times, WR, OR or PR's here. I am talking about psyche, the will, the determination the overall temperament and make-up to do this running thing the way it is meant to be done. Or, I should say, the way we should live it and feel the passion for it.

I love running (duh). It is one of my greatest passions outside my Family. It goes without saying then, I am drawing more inspiration, fun and friendships in this passion of mine from Women. My wife has noticed it as well. Noticed in a healthy way. She sees it every race I do now. After my last one she said, "man, after each one of these you meet maybe one or two guys along the way - but geez - you just came away meeting 5-6 new girlfriend runners!" :) "It always happens to you."

Anyway, just one last big thanks to all the Women runners that make things fun for me and inspire me. If you are reading this - then you already know who you are. Thanks, my friendship with you (either through the Blog or in actually running together) is needed and greatly appreciated! Even to my wife :)!

Thanks for everything! Have a great day!

Cheers!