I could talk endlessly about running. Races I have done, goals I have, gels, shoes, whatever. I’m comfortable talking about running and love when I meet people who run.
I have had people tell me that they are training for a 5k and say that it’s not much. I enthusiastically listen to them, ask questions and encourage. I explain that it’s a cult and I welcome anyone who will join. I’m sure this is true of other sports, hobbies, whatever.
Because I have years of running and many races under my belt I feel confident talking about running. I’m no expert nor am I capable of coaching but I know what I need to do to succeed and stay healthy.
I have spent hours talking to people about their races and I am interested in what got them started. Similarly, I feel like there are a lot of things to talk about when running with someone. If it can’t get resolved in a 2 hour run it ain’t getting resolved.
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
And it was.
I got Richard Scarry’s Best Storybook Ever for my birthday one year. I loved being read to and eventually reading it on my own. My favorite story was the one about a little bear who is on his father’s shoulders and the dad can’t find him. It took me longer than I care to admit to realize that the dad knew when the child was.
The stories were cute and taught me new words and categories of things. I still picture the calendar part at the end, showing pictures of the months.
I have given this book as a gift and currently sitting on my table to give at a baby shower. I got so nostalgic looking at it; they haven’t changed a thing, the little bear is still on the dad’s shoulders. I look forward to reading it to my new niece, hoping that she will get the same enjoyment.
I used to volunteer as a reader to a little child at her school. Once a week I would read to her. We read together for 4 years, 1-4th grades. It was an amazing experience and it is said that so much is gained from reading to a child, even up to 4th grade. Looking at this book I know this to be true.
I still have this book somewhere, it looks exactly the same except that it is pink and a bit worn.
5th grade me is back and she’s got not much to say.
May 30th
We went to a party at [friend’s]. It was really fun. A-
If it is the people that I am thinking of it was fun. They lived on a big farm and there was a lot to do. We would walk everywhere and play in the field. I don’t think the family had kids my age but they had friends who did. That was when I would just make friends because there were kids my age. Not bad for an introvert
May 31st
We didn’t have any school today because of Memorial Day. I’m getting stuff ready for the toy sale. A-
Yes, I would have a toy sale each year. My mom often had garage sales and I would put toys out and get some scratch. On years that she didn’t have a garage sale I had a toy sale. I had makeshift signs. I don’t know if I sold much- my sweet neighbor bought stuff. It’s weird to think that I would do this without my parents being home. That’s some Gen X/ latchkey kid stuff right there. Though I was a weird kid even for my generation. I do wish I had that entrepreneurial spirit now. I try to sell stuff online and it’s a bust.
Well that concludes May. Also that concludes 5th grade. The toy sale tuckered me out and I didn’t write again until I started 6th grade. 5th grade was a tough year so I’m giving little me a pass.
While I don’t go to church and I don’t really affiliate with an organized religion I do have faith and beliefs. I pray and am thankful for what I have.
I’m intrigued by religion. I grew up Catholic and live in a predominantly Catholic area. I like learning about different religions and I’m fascinated by the people who are active in their religion, not just the church. I never experienced that with my religion. I’m not searching for it either, it just seems interesting to me. Another way of living.
I also love visiting churches when I travel. They are beautiful with so much history. I also love listening to choirs and will pop in a Christmas choir cd (yes a cd), it’s beautiful.
I do miss the idea of going to church with my family, especially my cousins. I think that being dragged to church each Sunday (that was what it felt like to my teenage self) was a positive experience. It wasn’t necessarily the church part but that whatever I was doing I had to go to church. Our family would be together. It was a ritual. I learned to sacrifice my time.
One thing I do practice is Lent. I feel good about giving up something or adding a task for the greater good. I also still feel guilty having meat on Friday during Lent.
I’m happy with my choices now and I think that I am a good human and that’s what counts.
7th Grade: [friends’ brother] committed suicide today. He was 18. It is so sad. I’m so depressed.
Ugh, that was tough. I remember being told and I called my friends to discuss. Such a terrible loss and it’s so hard to explain to kids that things will get better. I still think of this guy and what a tragedy it was.
May 3
7th: [friends] were really sad today
I didn’t know if other kids should be told. Some knew. I remember trying to keep it lightheaded and real for them. I was dealing with my own grief and had some understanding.
May 4
7th: mom got in an accident in front of wake
Yeah, that happened. It was awful, ‘nuff said
May 5
7th: [funeral] mass really depressing.
There is so much more to say but a funeral of a child, someone whose parents are still alive, is just awful.
I do wish that I wrote more about this. I remember how awful it all was; the death and the accident (so much more to that). It was a low day in a year with the lowest days. I recently saw a movie where a child was losing a parent, I wanted to hug that child so much. Childhood tragedy is tough and thinking about it as an adult I am so sad for that little girl. I have been tasked with writing a letter to her and I will soon.
Next time will be less tragic and 5th grade me is back.
I’m a follower. Really I march to the beat of my own drum.
I’m a manager and I like mentoring people but I’m a better worker bee. I’m not the person to take charge nor do I have a desire to be an influencer but I’ll step up when needed.
When I lead I try to lead by example. Being a good worker or just being a good human being. As I manager I want others to respect me and feel comfortable asking questions and challenging me.
It stresses me out thinking about being a CEO or President of the United States. I’m good doing my job and being a upstanding citizen (most of the time).
Blueberries 🫐 I never ate them until I was late 30s. I’ve made up for los5 time. I prefer organic wild blueberries, I can eat them by the pint. I’ll put them cereal and pancakes. I have them frozen for smoothies. I tried to grow them a few years ago with little success.
Strawberries 🍓 They took a back seat to blueberries but I still love them. Great with yogurt or cool whip for a light dessert
Watermelon 🍉 but I have to eat it right away, I think it goes bad easily. My dog loves it as well
Apples 🍎 I always loved them and will eat with almond butter as a snack. I’ll baked them with nuts and oatmeal sometimes for breakfast, drizzled with maple syrup- yum
Clementines This is another one that I have to eat fairly quickly as they get dry. I love how small, tasty and easy to peel they are. Oranges seem so big to me after eating clementines
I’m not a fan of bananas, I can’t stand the smell and dislike anything with the. I wish I liked them as they are so portable.
9th grade: [Great Aunt] died. I’m glad because she was in a coma but I love her so much. She was like a grandmother to me. This year has had so many disasters.
Oh such sweet perspective little me. I hope that one day a great niece or nephew will mourn my loss and think of me as a grandmother-type.
April 20
9th: [Cousin’s] wedding. It was so cool. I think the family likes [mom’s boyfriend]. I do. A teacher at my old school died. I guess he was gay. How gross.
Okay, this one hurt. Why did I write that? Did I really feel that way about homosexuality? It was certainly not as accepted (yes, there is so much more that is needed) but with the rise of MTV it seemed like it was part of the culture. Regardless, it bothers me that I thought that way. I don’t remember who the teacher was. To me it shows that we as a society need to talk to kids about diversity, inclusion and acceptance. My parents didn’t allow racial slurs but we weren’t taught to speak up for others.
The wedding was my first wedding and it was fun. I remember we went to Burger King between the ceremony and reception because we weren’t sure when we would eat. I also remember dancing, a lot.
Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?
I can’t think of a specific example but there were times when I was a kid and I did not step in when another student was being teased or bullied. I certainly was not the one who teased but no action is part of the problem.
This was a time before it was known as bullying. It was teasing, “kids will be kids”. Doesn’t make it right but that was the time. Thought I knew better. Part of it was a lack of confidence and part (really they go together) was being happy that I wasn’t the victim.
I have been thinking a lot about being mean, gossipy or catty. It stems from lack of confidence. If I say something mean about someone else then that puts them down so I must be better, right? Obviously it’s wrong but it’s an instinct to find flaws rather than build others up.
One year my New Year’s resolution was to be nice and not have bad thoughts. It lasted until I got on the train January 2nd and people were pushing and shoving. I tried.
I’m hoping that as I get older and care less about what people think I’ll be bolder and stick up for others. I’m sorry to my former classmates who endured the trauma.
Catching up. Still nothing from 5th grade me, I was out gallivanting every night I guess.
April 5
9th grade: I visited [great aunt] in the hospital. She looked so bad. She wasn’t herself at all. I was crying.
This may have been the first time I saw someone near death. She was an incredible woman, I think she was technically my mom’s aunt by marriage. Very interesting person. As a kid we would go to her apartment. She had large print books and a magnifying glass to assist with reading. She also had a bowl with peanut m&ms on her coffee table, I sat in front of the bowl and ate the candy when I was little. One can understand my sadness over the demise of this great lady.
When I was a little older than the m&m-eating kid I mailed her a birthday card (her birthday was a couple of days after mine) and taped some coins to it as a gift (maybe refill that candy dish). After she died someone found the card in her apartment with the coins still taped to it. I still have it. The sentiment is worth more than the interest, though it probably would’ve be at least $3 now.
April 6
9th: [Cousin’s] baby shower. I like her and her boyfriend.
From death to birth. My first baby shower, maybe.
April 14
9th: US bombed Libya. I’m so scared we’re gonna have a war.
I know we all say that we are happy that we grew up in an era where there was no X. I’m happy that there was no social media and constant news. We watched the evening news and read the paper. That was enough of the worrisome news. Especially for kids
April 15
9th: My school canceled 2 European trips. It made the news. I hope my psychic was right when he said that Kadaffi will be shot. He is scary.
A canceled school trip is absolutely first world problems but it was somewhat unusual for the times. I didn’t grow up in wartime. I think the students ended up going to California.
My psychic? Wtf! I did go to a tea room. Some of it is bs, he said that I was shy- no shit I barely said anything to you. Also, not really a bold prediction that a controversial world leader would get shot.
Introverted runner and other stuff 