Mothers' Day Weekend

I seem to feel that being AWAY from my family on Mothers' Day is the best way to celebrate.  Last year I went to Seattle and Victoria, this year I went to Vancouver.

As I flew the familiar route into Portland and saw this, my heart just swelled with joy.  I have flown past that mountain so many times, and it always just screams "HOME" to me.  You can take the girl out of the Northwest, but you can't take the Northwest out of the girl.  That's what I tell John when he wants me to turn the air conditioning up to 80 degrees.

Six months ago, Tiffany invited me to come and run the "Hippie Chick" half marathon with her.  After much convincing and cajoling, I finally agreed.  It's been one of those things I can now cross off my list.

I took beautiful Texas weather with me, and I enjoyed just about every minute.  At the beginning of the race, I thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"  But after the initial shock of actually being part of a half marathon, I turned up the music and observed all the people and the scenery.  It was so lovely to see evergreen trees, and fields full of flowers, and a thousand different shades of green!  And 5000 happy, excited, motivated women.  It was fun and inspiring.  And tiring.

Later that night, several of my friends agreed to join me for dinner.  We had a lovely evening talking and laughing, and I remembered why they were such good friends when I lived there.  I have met amazing people throughout my life who have touched my life for good.  I was so grateful to be able to spend just a little time with a few of them.

I have another friend that I have known since I was twelve. Coleen and I have so many shared experiences, and thirty years later, we still like to get together when we can.  I went to church with her in the friendliest ward I have visited in a long time.  And they gave me an orchid corsage for Mothers' Day!  Lovely!

This is Coleen when we visited BYU again a few years ago--only one of our many shared experiences.

And Tiffany!  What can I say?  Thanks for the hospitality, the continued friendship, and for inviting me to do something new.  And thanks to Dave for being "support staff" so that your time was free to spend with me.  It was a great weekend!