Nothing is Impossible

A few weeks ago, I ran a 10 K with my sister in law Echo and my husband. I was trying to reach my personal best for a 10 K. Needless to say, I did hit my personal record by 9 minutes. While doing this 10 K, I met a few people. I do a walk run strategy where I run for one minute, walk one minute, run twenty seconds, and then run forty seconds. During one of my one minute walk, I got to talking to two of the girls I met. We were talking about our first 10 Ks. I mentioned this was only my second and that I had done a half marathon. They asked more questions and I told them about how I broke my leg last Easter and was just excited that I was able to get up and run again. They asked me how I made it through the 10 K in January when I had just started running again in November. I told them the truth. I kept telling myself "You have to do this. You have to finish. Only so many miles left." I do this with all of my runs. They both then told me that I was such an inspiration to them. They told me that I was so strong and a rock star. All this time I thought I should be further along. I thought that having to start completely over with training and having a weak ankle made me (for lack of better word) weak. These girls made me feel so good about myself. I know that I have come a long way. I have been told so many times how difficult it is to come back from a broken bone or ankle/leg surgery. I had both. I thank God every day for the strength he gives me to keep going. He gave me such great friends and family that helped me. I truly believe that if it was not for their support and love and prayers, i would not have improved as quickly. Yes, some of them pushed me pretty hard to try to do small things on my own, but because of this, I was able to help myself a little more. I did need the babying and love from my husband and a few others, but I needed the push from my mother as well. I needed to know that I could get help if needed, but that I could also do some stuff on my own. I know I'm not making any sense. Let me try to explain this a little better. With my two year olds, they need to know that I am there to help them put a puzzle together, but they also need to be pushed to do a little more of the puzzle by themselves each time. I think that for all I went through last year, I still had an amazing year. I learned who my friends are. I learned that I could lean on my family. I learned that I don't need to feel guilty for needing help. I learned to be patient while on nearly three months of bed rest. I learned that my boss was also the best friend I could ever ask for. I learned that working with pre-school children is truly my calling in life. Without Dawn and her family, I wouldn't have had a job to miss. I wouldn't have known just how much I needed Emily. I wouldn't have gotten the job at the pre-school. I would have never known what it was like to WANT to go to work. I wouldn't have over 35 children taking up residence in my heart. I no longer see my broken leg as a hindrance to my life. I see it as a learning experience. The word impossible is no longer an obstacle to me.