bookends

today was nearly perfect.

i woke up and got to be the one to kiss the other sleepyhead a goodbye. i almost never get to do that.

i ran a 5k with jimnerd and colee at my side. this was year three in a row. i didn't know i had three years in me, let alone three 5ks. and one week after the livestrong challenge. and five days after chemo. but really, jimnerd and colee were the highlights of the run.

i got to see sam and solicit one of the biggest hugs two skinny girls can put together. it made me smile. it is so good to see a friendly face on a very nearly perfect day.

then, THEN, jimnerd and colee let me take the first shower. and they made lunch. homemade mac and cheese.

i really enjoyed bridesmaid dress shopping. we smiled a lot. maybe too much. it is a really happy wedding, so i'm not surprised we were smiling so much.

i saw two red-tailed hawks soaring through the air high above the traffic on the blue route. their white underbellies shimmered in the setting sun. they were playing. or fighting. but on a nearly perfect day, my vote lies with playing.

upon seeing the sunset from behind the trees, i took a few extra turns and added some miles to my drive home to stop and smell the fresh, sunny, cool fall air.

i'm wearing my big warm penn state hat and drinking tea.

happy november.