Sea to Shining Sea

I've lived on the prairies
watched the wheat rise and fall
seen the sun set in a sea of blazing color

I've lived in the desert
... came to appreciate the simplicity of it all
heard the thunder race across the desert floor

I've stood on a mountain top in awe
looking out over a plateau covered with
thousands of antelope

I understand now the words
from Sea to Shining Sea

~ Traveler

Life

I met a retired professor last week; an intelligent, witty, personable man. As we spoke, it was evident our passion for learning and life paralleled the other.  This world is full of wonderful surprises like that. 

Take the time to speak to a stranger.  Surround yourself with a group of diversified individuals whom are positive role models, people striving to make a difference and people making attempts to better themselves for no other reason than to better themselves from the day before. 

Before you know it a day, a week, a year passes...then decades; but, while time passes the stories, relationships and memories established will be fuel for Running the rest of your Life!

"Friends are the Family We Choose for Ourselves"

Freedom

Today is Autism Awareness Day.  My family has been blessed to have a number of families in our life who has a child on the Autism Spectrum. What we have learned from these families is endless.  My daughters are, in part, who they are today because of the love they learned from each one of these children.

I recall one story in particular from my daughter....she was doing respite work for a young child with autism that had a habit of running.  Though the family was absolutely terrified when this happened, my daughter described this young lady as completely elated and full of giggles while she was running.

I can only imagine the feeling of freedom this young lady felt while sprinting down the block when so much of her life could be frustrating and misunderstood.

My run tonight was dedicated to those families and their amazing children.  I tried, to the best of my ability, to achieve the same sense of freedom running as the young lady my daughter worked with.  I think I did.

I encourage all of you to take a moment this week and learn one simple fact about Autism.  "The prevalence of Autism is now 1 in 50."