My employer gave us Christmas, and the Tuesday following, off from work. I took vacation days for the remainder of the week. Today, being the last “vacation day”, I took the kids to the YMCA for some swimming. I didn’t get a whole lot of exercise, but we did have a lot of fun. We reeked of chlorine when we returned home.
As my vacation comes to end, so does 2006. I have begun to draw up the plans for 2007. I have reviewed the race calendars and made a list of races that I am “considering” for the upcoming year. Though I would love to schedule a marathon in the spring, it is too early in the recovery from my peroneal tendonitis, and contused cuboid (foot bone), to commit. I have my eye on a few shorter to half-marathon races for the early part of the year. Trail races have also drawn my eye a bit more than in the past.
I am not big on New Year’s resolutions. At the end of last year, however, I had a couple of things on my list of things to work on in 2006. Today, I looked back to see if I had accomplished what I had “resolved” to change in 2006.
Last year, reflecting on the loss of my stepfather, I noted that 2005 was a difficult year. The song, “Live Like You Were Dying”, had meaning that hit hard. I learned that no matter how young you are, it doesn’t mean that you will live for many years on end.
In 2006, there were more loved ones lost in addition to many that are fighting the good fight to remain with the living. As I sit typing this, we are dressed for another rosary. It’s another reminder for us to show those that we care about all the love that we feel.