The Hills We Run



 

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The hill was starting to get to me by the time we reached the last incline. My legs were burning, my footsteps were heavy, and my breath was coming shortly. I peered ahead through the misty fog at the turn in the road just ahead. Ah, the mailbox at last--our agreed stretching point. My sister Olivia and I were on our daily run, and ascending our daily mountain. Well, it wasn't exactly a mountain--more like one of those hills that is just short of being a cliff and leaves you gasping for breath before you have taken three steps. We slowed to a stop beside the mailbox, and gazed down the hill at the distance we had covered with a sense of satisfaction. I always had this feeling--a mix of relief that we were done, healthy exhaustion from the exercise, and the pride of what we had accomplished (not to mention the small fact that hundreds of calories were now mine to consume ;).

We sat, resting in the damp stillness, our hearts still beating wildly and our breath still just out of reach. 

"This," I found myself thinking, "Is like life."

...Had I said it outloud Olivia and I would have had a good laugh about how philosophical and solemn it sounded. As it was, I kept to myself, and gazed down again at the slope we had conquered.

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You may be wondering what I am talking about. On the other hand, you might be pointing your finger at me, shouting, "Cliché! Cliché!"

..You are right. It is a cliché. How many times have I heard the expression,

"You have to get over the next hill! Life is one long hill; you have to get to the top before you can appreciate everything fully."

..or something like that. Who knows. But the thing is, it really 'clicked' for me that day atop the mountain, and I have been reminded of it every day since:

Life is one big hill. Some parts of the hill are steeper than others.
 I, Lucia Marie, haven't even made it up halfway yet--
but I've had my fair share of gasping for breath.
I have yet to feel the burn of tired legs and lungs.
Nevertheless, I know this is true:
When I reach the top, I will look down and see all that I've accomplished--
yes, the many times I've fallen,
yes, the triumphs and the just--barely-making-it parts.
When I reach the top, I will feel the satisfaction of finishing my duty,
and the anticipation of what is waiting for me on the other side.

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{...Just a thought for the day that I thought I'd share. Keep running this race strong, sisters and brothers in Christ! The top of the hill is in sight.}

*smiles*

~*~

Blessings,
-::Lucia::-