I run happy.

Monday, October 24, 2011


"While we try to teach our children about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about."
---unknown

Guess what I did?  I got complacent.  I started getting used to being an empty nester. Making dinner and eating when we felt like it.  Running at any hour of the day.  Cleaning the house ONLY when we knew it was absolutely necessary(like when spider webs were dangling from the corners of our living room), and finally,  putting out breakables, using fancier glasses, REALLY living life like adults.  You get the picture and I'm sure you know where I'm going.

BAM!  BAM!  BAM!    

It started raining confetti and it wasn't my birthday.  "Surprise!"  Someone shouted(and even though it was only in my brain,   I braced myself."

Sparkle Pants and His Mommy came home.  Moved home.  Grandparents,   meet living- with- daughter- in college/working/mommying and precious two year old plus a few months.

The surprise party died down and reality took over..

The kind of reality that wakes you up,  tests your unconditional love and everything you ever said about being there for your kids NO MATTER WHAT.  Because, yes,  we said that to both of our kids.  All the time.

So now, we're living it.  Trying anyway.  We're trying to NOT parent a 22 year old woman who is scared, working way too hard at school and has two jobs.  We are grand parenting a football-running-baseball-soccer-loving 2.5 year old who asks questions all day long and loves books, snuggling and tortilla chips and hummus.

And you wonder why I'm still blogging?  Still running?  Still looking for wisdom and inspiration with faith and hope?

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Moving forward as always; xc running, training for a January marathon, hugging my husband, digging in some dirt and playing with some rad five and six year olds because they call it "my job."

Suddenly,  my life sounds pretty good.  I am blessed and very non-complacent at this moment.

Thanks for reading this.   Can you believe how fast things can change?!
meg

30 comments:

  1. You Go Girl! All very noble pursuits! Keep living the dream that is life!

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  2. ahh, don't thank me...thank you..for writing this. Love reading all you have to say Meg. Wow, what a change for you! Your little sparkle pants sound so stinking BRIGHT! I CAN imagine how your life has been Energized shall we say...my little 2year and 3 month old is quite the ball of energy!!! Thinking of you! :)

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  3. Things can change fast. From your blog I make the assumption that your daughter has broken up with her husband and if that's the case I wish her a lot of strength to deal with this.

    My parents took my sister and her husband in for a couple of months too while they were waiting for their new house. My Dad didn't cope to well with that :) he was glad they moved out again.
    But as you say: parents do that for their children.

    Take care Meg and good luck with adjusting to a "new" lifestyle.

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  4. That's what we do as parents...not always easy, but for some reason always fulfilling. Big hug and good luck with the changes. Sparkle pants sounds like an adorable hand-full :)

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  5. What a lucky Sparkle Pants that he gets to live with his grandmother! :) That is the best treat of all...
    Good luck to you. You are a good mom and grandmom.

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  6. Oh boy! Good luck to all of you, I know you will make it work!

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  7. Woah! Major change. But if anybody can adapt it's you! And how lucky is Sparkle Pants (what happened to Sandy Pockets?) to get to live with mama and papa!

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  8. Things change at the blink of an eye but it is how we handle the change that matters. Keep doing what you are doing, you inspire me and many others I'm sure.

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  9. Ah Meg. Kids. Sometimes, I look at mine and wonder "what happened to normal?" - but like you said, we love and support them no matter what. It's a challenge, to be sure, but really - I'd much rather have them around than not, so we (the royal) deal.

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  10. Ah yikes -- that coming back home is scary for the one coming and the ones hosting. But it sounds like she's working hard and it will be a temporary thing -- and how awesome you guys can help her. And of course you are blogging and running -- sanity.

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  11. Yes, we say it and we mean it but it would be an adjustment! Good luck to you and you are the best to be there when needed!

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  12. Busy, full-house time for you. I feel for you. It's tough but it's wonderful. You get to spend so much time with your gorgeous grandson and you get to be there for your daughter when she needs you most. Look after yourself too!

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  13. I can imagine how blessed, grateful and safe your daughter feels knowing she has home to come home to. Y'all will figure out the balance - hang in there!

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  14. You two are great parents - sometimes that is harder than you would like but you never complain. Give them all the support you can and your lives will be better for it. Sending Colorado hugs your way :)

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  15. Colorado hugs from me, too, Megsie! I know this stuff is so difficult, but you are one tough chica and I know those genes have rubbed off onto your daughter, too. Just a trying time trying to figure out what it is that makes us happy...but she will.

    I spoke with Marcia (and will Tara when she returns from her little vaca); we can get a hotel for the race since you now have a houseful, ok? Ok. Just let me know is a good place to look. I'll email you this weekend.

    And don't you worry about that marathon....if you want to run it really slow, just for fun, you can pace me :).

    xoxo

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  16. That is certainly a big and quick adjustment! It must be tougher than it seems but I have no doubt you all will do well.

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  17. Im still working on hopefully being a dad some day, but Mr. Ant will do for now. Non Complacency, I love the attitude Meg. It's not a wonder why you do in fact run and all that other stuff. Keep it up, Your love for running sure does trickle into your love for family too. How Sweet it is. Take care.

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  18. Hope all is going well...what a new journey you are on!

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  19. Awww Meg, so sorry about this. Hang in there.

    I was that girl once. Teen mom, married way too young, school, full time job, and divorced by 25. I remember being so scared of my future, yet so grateful to be out of that marriage. I leaned on my mom and dad and felt so very safe and I am sure that your daughter feels safe with you. I know she appreciates your help and support.
    And just know this....she is going to be ok. Hugs to you, your hubbie, your daughter, and sweet little sparkle pants!

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  20. Wow. Hope you're having fun and it's starting to all balance out. ::hugs::

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  21. Hi! I found you through Amanda! Can't wait to catch you and read more!

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  22. good thing your daughter has a great support system! could you imagine her life if you weren't there to help out by even just giving her a place to sleep?! she is certainly blessed!

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  23. found you from RunningHood and she was SO right...awesome blog here and loving the motivation I will get from reading! Wow, lots of changes for you...and LOVE that quote! So perfectly said.

    I'm your newest follower!! Can't wait to read more!

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  24. Hi Meg,
    My kid can babysit if you ever need one. Tell B.S. I said hi and that now that I don't run tons I will be a perfect training partner when he returns. I do 90 minute "Beach Workout" every Saturday morning in Solana Beach and it's awesome. Tons of core work. Perfectly hard. You guys should do it one morning. It's free. I dare you. Or, maybe you're a little scared.

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  25. Dear Saint Meg, You need to meet the Pope as you are the kind of woman who we should be celebrating during these crazy times! What goes around comes around and you (and BS) have lots of good stuff coming your way!

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  26. Hang in there - you are GOOD parents!!!

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  27. Oh Meg your daughter and SP are so blessed to have your welcoming arms to come home to. This must be so hard for all involved but it'll all work out for the best.
    Hang in there girl, I know you will, I'm beyond excited to see you in January. Like Jill said, we'll all get a hotel so no worries. Big hugs!

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  28. This parenting stuff never gets easy, does it? Now I know why you run so fast.

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  29. Moms and Dads are so generous!

    Looks like your mileage may be going up...you will need some nice LONG runs to escape, or maybe some extra yoga. this too shall pass....in the mean time....BREATHE! Namaste!

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  30. Big changes, Meg, but with a lot of love and patience, it will be good. Everyone is doing their best and trying their hardest, and that's all we can ask of each other. I know you will find laughter in little moments with your daughter and SP, and lucky you having BS to support you. Pat yourself on the back for being a good parent and grandma!

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