see rachel run!

quite early this morning we went to san leandro where rachel ran her first official half marathon! it was quite the experience. there were a lot of very physically fit people there, and some that were, well, not so much...but they still ran! it was a wonderful sight to behold.

i loved watching as all the half marathoners gathered together; anticipation ran high, energy was flowing, some were serious some were giddy with excitement. rach was focused, happy and ready. then the countdown began, as she passed by us she smiled and waved excitedly.

i felt like i was taking her to kindergarten again - sending her off on her own and trusting that the world would treat her right. do we ever lose those motherly instincts? i kind of doubt it.

while she ran pat and i went in search of some food for breakfast, which took much longer than it should have, but that isn't important. we also rested in the car (pat recuperating from kidney stones last night and a trip to the er, which got us home at 11 pm). when 1 hr and 45 minutes had passed we decided it was time to go to the finish line. i sure am glad we did!

we were there for about 2 minutes (she ran it in just under 2 hours, not bad, eh?) when in the distance i saw our daughter, running her heart out, beaming at her accomplishment...i was so proud of her. i began waving excitedly (as only a mother can do). when she saw me she smiled that dazzling smile of hers. a few seconds later she crossed the finish line, where we ran to greet her and give her a hug.

there was a moment - the moment - when she crossed that finish line where i welled up with joy inside for the accomplishment she has made (which nearly turned into overflowing tears, but i restrained myself), for the distance she has come since a year ago. she set a goal and she accomplished that goal. 

rach is becoming more and more confident, more strong, and more able to handle whatever life throws at her. actually, i don't know if life can throw things at her, i think she throws things at life now. so, look out life, rachel's coming! ;)

i am grateful for those moments when the success of others brings you such great joy that it is indescribable.