Get to

Don't know these people at all. Never seen them in my life. But, was struck by the title of the photo when I was looking through some Boston Marathon photos yesterday. "Happy Couple" is what it said, and yes I totally get that. See those smiles...that is the "We did it" smile, the "I can see the finish line" smile. And see the smiles of those all around them? Best feeling in the world! This is the kind of picture that makes me want to run another marathon. But, I am in the baby step phase of excercise again. Finally started running somewhat regularly again, and it feels good to be doing something that has been noticably missing for the past few months. I "get" to run again. Get to use my legs and know they will hold me up as I push them down the street. Spend a little time in a neurologist office and you will know exactly what I am saying. An office where 50% of those that come through the door are in a wheelchair, or walking with a cane. They don't "get" to run anymore. They would probably love to be able to walk across the room. So it's those faces I focus on, when I complain I'm bored, and I don't want to exercise. Those faces that every single day have to take a cocktail of colorful pills in hopes that it will slow down whatever has taken over their bodies and has robbed them of simple luxuries like walking. Amazingly brave people whose faces will stay with me forever. People who God has brought into my life for some reason, and I'm still processing why. Running has forever taken on a whole new meaning for me.