 Could anything be more beautiful than a spring morning?
I guess it might depend on where you live. But here in Texas, we’re already mentally bracing ourselves for the scorching days of summer. At least, I am. But not now, Amy. Enjoy! Close eyes, draw a deep breath, hug the sky. “Good morning, honey!” I jump, eyes flying open, and turn to see Carmen and kids standing across the lawn, on their own driveway. She smiles at me. “I didn’t mean to scare you!” Carmen looks gorgeous as always, small and slender in a pair of ragged, well-fitting jeans and a lacy, turquoise top. Her kids are wearing their backpacks. “Good morning, neighbors! No worries! It’s my fault for spacing out in my front yard! Isn’t it a beautiful day? Can I walk with you to the bus stop?” "Of course! We'd love it." The twins are grinning at me. As we meet on the sidewalk, I grab little Jojo’s hand. A squirrel, positioned on a tree trunk, freezes as we pass. Even as I point, it races back up the oak tree. “We’re friends! Scaredly cat!” I can’t help but laugh with the kids. “So, tell me, what did y’all do for Earth Day?” Clearly, they did a lot. They talk all the way to the bus stop. Sweet neighbors, gorgeous weather… What more can I ask for this morning? In this chaotic world, amidst the struggles of daily life and even -- maybe especially -- with our inner struggles, every little grace, every little joy counts. Enjoy the moment.
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 “It’s not funny!”
Here I am fighting back tears of mortification in the middle of a restaurant while Thomas and the other runners laugh! Way to embarrass yourself, Amy. “Oh, no. Stop it, y’all!” Candace puts a motherly arm around my shoulders. “Amy, don’t be upset. You have to admit, it was funny.” I shake my head emphatically. “It wasn’t. It scared me half to death and we could have all be eaten!” “Didn’t you look up the park before joining us for the run?” One of the more experienced runners – Harris? – looked…confused? Wincing. “I meant to, but it was a busy week and I forgot.” “You should always know what sort of trail you’ll be running,” he instructed, frowning. And everyone’s nodding. Positive thoughts, Amy. You are NOT a moron! “I’ve never been on a run like this before. How would I know?” A woman’s pointing at my boyfriend. “HE should’ve told you, at least!” Thomas doesn’t defend himself. “He did mention alligators, at least once. But he didn’t say they might be near the path.” I have to smile at him. “I suppose you didn’t want to scare me?” His worried expression lightens as he smiles back. “That plan didn’t work out too well.” Now, we’re all laughing. “So, the question is…” Candace waits for everyone to calm down and looks at me. “What?” Of course, I have to ask. “Will you run with us again?” The question already crossed my mind, and I have an answer. “I sort of hate to say this…” Their faces! Priceless! That's what they get for laughing at me! “But yeah! I’d love to.” A loud cheer, some hugs, and a kiss from Thomas. All in all a great day, alligator not withstanding.  Two and a half hours. So far.
The sweat knows no bounds. Perspire? HA! Expire, more like it! But I can’t die right now. I have to live to kill Thomas! “See the picnic tables ahead?” Candace points to some white tables off in the distance. “We’ll stop for a breather.” They look a mile away. They might even be moving further away from us. At least I’m not the only one who’s tired. Our leader has shot ahead – just a little – but I’m next! Everyone else is sort of clumped right behind me. Must. Reach. White. Tables. That’s a pretty big log to be so close to the path. Wh… SCREAM! Amy, don’t… Oh, crap! Tripping, falling… More screams. Pile-up.  Beautiful, old oak trees draped in Spanish moss, a lily pond, trails galore… How could I not have known about this park?
Granted, I’m not from the area, but still… And I’m not huffing and puffing yet. Of course, we’re pacing ourselves, almost but not quite walking. Still… Seven of us, all beginners. Everyone but me has been on a few long runs. Candace, our leader, has run this exact same trail once before. She’s still a beginner, too, though. Shooting a sideways peek. How old is she? Definitely in her forties, at least. She’s not a lean, Zen-like runner, full of serene confidence. She’s more like, well, like what she is, a middle-aged, middle-sized baseball mom who needs time for herself. She has just enough aggressive determination to see her through. To see all of us through… Go, Candace! The sandy path turns, suddenly long and straight, lake on one side, woods on the other. Birds are chirping. A small flock of egrets are clustered along the bank. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Candace gestures around us. “It’s what I love about runs like this. The peace of it.” “Yeah, but…” Okay, so I’m puffing a little. “We’d enjoy it just as much or more if we were walking or riding bikes.” She grins, pulling her cap down lower. “You think so? Get ready, girl. I think we’ve warmed up enough.” Warmed up?  “Perfect!”
I shoot a “really?” look at Thomas’s reflection in the mirror. But he looks so pleased that I can’t stop the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Do you really think I’ll need a water bottle strapped to my waist tomorrow?” “Absolutely! And your phone! And a small snack.” Eyebrow wiggle. “It looks cute on you.” A huffed laugh escapes me. “Thanks. I like the color.” That much is true. Turquoise belt with white stripes. It looks sporty and fresh, even around my less than slender waist. Thomas is grinning, now, obviously struggling not to laugh. “We’ll be running for a couple of hours, at least. You’ll need hydration.” Couple of… “What?” He bursts out laughing as I glare at him in the mirror. But this is a conversation we need to have face to face. Make your stern face, Amy! GLOWER! Aaaand all for nothing. My boyfriend is practically howling with laughter. Very unusual for him. He’s usually so serious! I don’t find this the least bit funny. I cross my arms and wait. Finally, he seems to realize that I’m not laughing. I don’t appreciate that grin on his face even as his hands are gentle on my shoulders. His blue eyes look into mine. “You’ll be fine, beautiful. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Huh? Did he just say… Now, I’m the one with a stupid grin on my face.  “How’s my girlfriend tonight?”
GIRLFRIEND! I love it. “Your girlfriend is completely exhausted! Zumba almost killed me!” “Zumba?” “At the rec center. I went with Zoe. Thomas, my arms are noodles, my thighs burn, and I feel like I just did a week’s worth of cardio! But it was fun and I needed it.” “Wow!” I can’t help but laugh. He sounds as surprised as I was. “Enough about me! How’s my boyfriend? How’s your mom?” “Mom’s great! She really enjoyed the celebration with my aunt and her family. She didn’t even seem tired. She’s finally more like her old, energetic self.” “I’m so glad! And you’re both still having dinner with me this coming Friday?” “We’re looking forward to it! But it’s funny that you mentioned cardio.” “Why?” “My running club has organized a run at the state park this Saturday. The weather forecast is beautiful and the trails are great. Would you like to go with me? A group of us usually eat together afterwards. If not, you and I can have lunch together. Casual, of course.” “Of course.” Running club? Zumba? What’s happening all of a sudden? “But Thomas, I can’t keep up with you. Not remotely.” “You don’t have to worry about that. Some trails are long, others are shorter. After you meet everyone, if you feel comfortable enough to run with a group at your level, that’s one option. But I’d be glad to stick with you.” How can I want to say heck, yeah, and absolutely not at the same time? “Do you need to know now, or can I think about it?” “You have until we start running Saturday morning!” I do need to work off those chocolate bunnies. “I’m leaning towards yes, but I’ll confirm before then. Would you like to come over?” “Now? Didn’t you say you’re exhausted?” “Yes, but don’t you miss me?” “See you in five.” Balance. Way to go, Amy Munro!  Ham. Brisket. Mashed Potatoes. Scalloped potatoes. Hot cross buns. Coconut cake. Chocolate bunnies. Chocolate everything…
“Hi, Zoe! Happy Easter! How’s everyone? Did you have a nice weekend?” “Amy! Happy Easter to you, too, honey! We had a great holiday. Where’ve you been?” “I spent the holiday with my family at my parents’ farm.” “Oh, right! What am I thinking? You told me you’d be going. That must’ve been nice.” “It was! But Zoe, there was so much food!” SO MUCH! “Uh-oh. Are those new pants a little tight?” “Uncomfortably so! I’m so mad at myself! Are you working out tonight by chance?” “I sure am! I’ve started Zumba! It’s so much fun!” “You’re kidding!” “Don’t be a fuddy-duddy! Come try! It’s at 8:00, and it’s a lot of fun. You’ll love it!” “Fine. Whatever. I’ve got to get this body moving. So, no weights?” “You can go early if you want, but I’ll be getting there last minute. Just don’t overdo it. You don’t want to be spent. She works us hard!” “Noted! Thanks, partner! See you tonight!” Zumba. How hard could it be?  Green, Red, Turquoise, Yellow, Pink… Paper lanterns, garlands, flowers… So much color! Samira has gone all out for this party. The Patels' backyard has been transformed!
I’ve seen a few images flash by on the web or tv, but I never knew what the Hindu holiday Holi, the Festival of Colors, celebrates. My take: the joy and hope of Spring Hence, color! Vivid, fun, beautiful color! And I love how almost everyone came wearing white – just to be splashed with colored powder or water. No wonder Samira handed me a white t-shirt to change into the moment I got here. What a beautiful party. Great music, smiling adults, excited children… Colorful, festive food. I think I have a new favorite drink. “Samira, this is delicious! What’s it called?” Samira, looking adorable and happy with pink and turquoise powder on her face and on her long, white, blouse, gives me a big smile. “You like it?” “I love it! It’s yummy!” “It’s called mango lassi.” “What’s in it? I know there’s mango and yogurt. But what else?” “Sugar, cardamom, saffron…” “I can make it at home? If I buy the ingredients, you’ll come show me?” “Of course!” “Amy!” To my shock, Carmen shoots me with a water gun! Green! Green water splashes across my white t-shirt! War! Jumping up, I grab my crutches and my own water gun, which has orange water. “Just because I have a sprained ankle does NOT mean I can’t get even.” Grinning, Carmen raises her brows. “Oh, I think it does.” She gasps, jumps, and turns around. Red and yellow water marks are streaked across her back. Emi, Emile, and Amir run off laughing and shrieking. I take aim. My orange water looks pretty good mixed in. Carmen turns back around and – surprise! -- Samira shoots her with yellow. I add my orange to the front of her t-shirt. She fires back with her green water. We’re all laughing. No worries. No thinking. Just color. Laughter. Joy.  DON’T FALL!
Ooomph! There goes the breath right out of me. Ow, ow, ow! My shoulder! My ankle! I’m all wet! “Amy!” Thomas is beside me. The expression on his face… I almost want to laugh. Almost. My ankle… I have to blink. You’re a big girl, Amy! Do NOT cry! “It’s okay. You’ll be okay. Let me get this bike off of you.” “My shoelace…” “So that’s what happened!” He looks adorably fierce as he works to free my shoelace from the chain. Finally, he lifts the bike off me. I feel worse somehow, more exposed, and humiliated. I can only imagine how I look, sprawled across the wet grass. He sits down right beside me. “Here. Easy does it.” Gently, he helps me to a sitting position and lets me lean back against him. “What hurts?” Well… Suddenly I don’t feel nearly as bad as I did just moments ago. But… “Besides my pride?” He kisses – KISSES – my temple and nods. “Yeah, besides that.” “Umm... Everything? But mostly my shoulder and hip and, worst of all…” “Your ankle.” “How’d you know?” “It’s not looking too good.”  How long has it been since I’ve been on a bike? The cool breeze in my face feels wonderful! And the ride’s a lot different from pounding the pavement when I run. It’s sweet of Thomas’s mom to let me borrow hers, especially since it’s a nice, fairly new one. Poor lady. She hardly had a chance to ride it before her hip surgery. But maybe I need to invest in one for myself?
Save your pennies, Amy! What’s he saying? I can’t help but grin at him. He’s so handsome in the long-sleeved, blue workout shirt that matches his eyes and his reddish hair shining in the sun. And that smile! But I can’t hear a word he’s saying. “What?” “Let’s go this way!” “After you!” The lake! It looks gorgeous sparkling in the sun. The park trees are leafing out, azaleas are beginning to bloom. Springtime. What's not to love? Cross the street… From sidewalk to sandy path, a bumpier ride. But who cares? Not me! I know where we’re going. Thomas cruises to the grassy bank and stops by our bench in front of the lake, underneath the enormous swamp maple. Yesss! We can sit and chat. Maybe even kiss… He’s grinning at me. Oh, we’ll definitely kiss. The grass is wet. But if he’s parked his bike there, I guess I can, too. Wait. What? My shoelace… What’s happening? It’s tangled in the spokes! Lean the other way, Amy! Don’t fall! Don’t… |
She loves people, books, poetry, baking, and is currently obsessed with her new house!
Unfortunately, she's not so crazy about herself. That has to change. You've Got This, Amy Munro! Archives
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