It’s been a crazy day. I woke up to a light rain/mist in the air and decided to go for a run. I figured if it’s not raining heavy, it’s probably great weather for one. I ended up doing about 6mi on the trail. There were a few other runners out there with me and it gave me a lot of time to think.

I have been quite stressed at work because it’s our busy time and things are gearing up for a busy summer – and as most parents know that means a lot of pre-planning. Camps, vacations, even clothes shopping for the summer all take up time and money and more time. Paperwork, scheduling for camps – school commitments, you name it.  For me, it’s a super stressful time of the year. And this year it seems almost worse.  Running on most days is cathartic for me – but I found myself getting angry as I ran, especially when I stopped to catch my breath. I was angry that I couldn’t push myself harder, angry that it was rainy, angry at the animal poop that lined the trail. You name it.

So a few things brought me back to reality today – things that slap you in the face and say get a grip, you are so lucky and have such a great life with great people around you.

First was an email I received from a neighbor friend who wanted to let everyone know she has to fly back home to see her sister who is now under the care of hospice. She is going to spend what may be her last moments with her. In the past few years she had to deal with her husband and herself battle different forms of cancer. She isn’t any different than you or me, just has had to deal with huge issues that many people our age don’t face regularly.  I can only imagine how hard this has been for her. It brings me to tears just thinking about it.

Then, I read Parade Magazine. This article was about a recent experience by the author who was on a flight from Washington DC and sat next to a woman with kids. At first, she was annoyed at the disturbance and the proximity of her with her kids. Then she got talking to her – and turns out she lost her husband last year and in some ways still can’t grasp the reality of it all.

He was 42. Still an athlete and a beloved coach. “I always thought I’d go first,” she said. “He took such good care of himself.”

It was an accident. At home, in the middle of the night. He fell and hit his head.

As I read this, I thought about the stuff that has had me rattled recently and it put it in perspective.  Things ain’t so bad for me – and although my family sure has had its challenges the last year or 2, we are blessed, lucky and strong.  Life is so short and things can change in the blink of an eye – So make sure you stop often and breathe it all in.