For the first time since having P I’m not talking about anything to do with him when I say childlike joy.  Wednesday was a trying evening.  All the demands and the to-do list got to me.  I found myself saying, “I just can’t do this.”  I was tired.  It was past my bedtime.  I was, you know, not at my best.

The following morning I was blessed with a two hour delay.  An extra two magnificent hours to get some stuff done.  I took part of that time to go for a run.  Finding time for myself is near impossible, so when I’m given an opportunity to run I take it bad weather or not.

The snow was fresh.  A blank canvas just waiting for my footprints.  I love winter running days like this.  Fresh snow on trees.  Covered sidewalks means probably not slippery.  Snow bank jumping.  Being the first person to make their footprints in a path.  A hard, but rewarding workout is almost guaranteed.

During my last half mile a favorite song that I wouldn’t normally run to came on, big fat snowflakes started falling and I felt the unfamiliar-these-days running high.  When I turned on my street I felt an intense desire to make snow angels. 

I immediately headed to the backyard and made a snow angel.  I took in the peaceful silence that only winter brings.  If you’ve spent time outside on a snowy day without wind you know what I mean. As I snow angeled away, I closed my eyes and felt the snowflakes hit my face.  Big.  Fat.  Snowflakes.  I felt like a child again.  My heart was bursting with childlike joy that makes keeping a smile off your face impossible.  My stresses melted away.  The to do list gone from my mind.

And people wonder why runners run-especially in the winter.  Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

I hope you find some childlike joy this weekend.

Sarah