The alarm sounded entirely too early. I rolled out of bed, plodded to the bathroom, and headed for coffee. I was so glad that I slept in my running clothes; I don’t know how I’d have been ready on time if I hadn’t.
I wondered when I stopped being a morning person. Every day, it’s hard (both mentally and physically) to get out of bed. Normally, I take it slow, sipping my coffee and checking emails until I finally am ready to face the day.
Today was different. There was no time to adjust to the morning. A short 20 minutes later, I was off for my weekly Buddy Run. This week, my Buddy Run consisted of an actual person, and I was late to meet her.
My buddy, apparently, does not have the same morning issues as me. She was full of spunk, and greeted me with a contagious cheerfulness. Together, we ran through the park. And when she asked the question of how Tom died, I told her. She listened intently as I retold the unfolding of his cancer, until the point where he died. I told it the same abruptness that it happened, and my new buddy stopped in her tracks and began to cry.
I hate the feeling that normally comes when I drop the bomb of Tom’s death. I’m not accustomed to making people feel sad. Today, however, it felt okay. I gave my buddy a hug and then we moved on, one step at a time. I realized that our moving on was just like me each morning when I drag myself out of bed. It’s not always easy but, once you get moving, you know that it will be alright.
It’s good to know there are so many kind hearted peeps in the world…
Thank goodness for running buddies like that.
It’s a relief when people react openly with true emotion, rather than canned condolences. I’ve been bothered far less by the tears of others than I have by their self-preserving cliches. Sounds like you’ve got a special buddy.
This post made me want to give you a hug – an affirming hug because that sounds like a bitter sweet and very affirming experience.
Dear Sis,
I am glad you found a buddy in the flesh to run and talk to in person and give hugs, complaints, happyiness, sadness, frustrations, etc. Awesome sis and you know most people are out there to help (even if they can’t but at least being a friend and listening is a help…) so I am very glad to hear you not keep it all in when you are out there beating yourself up or your competition. At least a friend or two will know what is going on inside of you and know the rest or at least part of your story. You are awesome and I admire that your are out there trying to continue living to the fullest & fighting life back….Love you.
Sounds like the start to an amazing friendship.
a bittersweet story…and sounds like a sweet friend.
Yep, she sounds like a keeper. That she asked, you trusted her with it, and she took it with her heart – that was a good thing. That you both could move on with your running and your emotions was good, too.
What a great buddy – here’s to more (of both the happier, and also necessary, kinds) runs together.