Happy Thanksgiving everybody! I hope that all of you got to eat some turkey, spend some time with your loved ones and pondered what it is that you're thankful for this year. I know that I sure did! While sitting there on the couch after stuffing myself with all of that delicious food surrounded by family, I thought about what I'm thankful for. There's been much this year.
For starters, I began this crazy little running for 366 days thingy. It was something that scared me just enough to make me doubt if I had what it took to get through it all. I didn't know if I could do something this challenging. But, here today, 333 days into it. I think that I'm doing pretty damn good. This journey's been something that I'll never forget. I even finally got enough courage to start my first running blog and video podcast. The wonders never cease.
I wasn't blogging this time last year so, most of you don't realize how incredibly stressful this time was just a year ago. My wife had lost her job, we'd just bought a new house and the holidays were looming with practically nothing in the bank. I remember thinking it was such a dark time. Didn't really see the light at the end of the tunnel if you know what I mean. But, as of today I'm happy to report that my wife just loves her new job. Her midnight hours are less than to be desired. But, for the first time since I've known her, she's earning the kind of money she deserves helping a segment of society that most deserves it. Every hour of every day a US veteran kills themselves and she's one of the few, the proud, who stand between a statistic and a life. I could never do what she does. The house is doing well. I'm still married to the former mentioned hero. The bills are still there. Credit cards are an evil thing. But, this Christmas the little man will get everything on his list! Santa's still alive in the Sands home.
Speaking of the little man, I was given another blessed year of watching him grow into the man that he will become. Time goes by so quickly. I still feel like he was just born yesterday. Now he's in third grade, eight and wears 12 year old clothing! What happened to my baby boy? He's such a sweet little guy. So eager to please everyone. So eager to do well in the world. So good most of the time. My wife and I are unbelievably lucky to have someone like him for a son. He's still got a that innocence, that glass is half full attitude that I think is so vital to a happy life. I'm going to do my best to make sure he holds onto that as long as he can. Even if it means ramming Tooth Fairy letters, Santa's scout elves and Irish leprechauns down his throat on a yearly basis.
We discovered how crazy our neighbors can be and almost had to put a beautiful dog down because of it. Sam the Wonder Dog has sadly left our lives. Thankfully adopted by someone in NYC. With his departure there was much stress and sadness. But, now we've found the most amazing dog in Samuel, our new lab puppy. It's not easy having a toddler in the house again. But, he's got the most amazing personality and I'll personally put the neighbors down if they cause any more problems.
I continue to have an amazing career in a very difficult field. I even managed to get my instructor certification and became a physical fitness instructor. Something that I've wanted for a very long time. But, was afraid too much of failure to attempt doing. I was so proud to get that this year! It may be a stressful job. But, the people that I work with are some of the finest individuals that I've ever known who tirelessly do there job day in and day out, out of the public's eye dealing with the monsters that prey upon society. It's an honor to serve. Few can.
My family got a little larger with the birth of my cousin's daughter Isabelle. Amazing how that happens as you get older. I'm so happy that she invited me to her baptism! It meant so much to me. I hope they have a safe trip back to Great Britain. I even learned a little more about my father's side of the family through the miraculous science of DNA testing and mapping. What do you know? I'm actually Irish even if I never knew my grandfather!
I've made so many new friends this year! I got to Skype with a friend in Australia, have someone to talk to in Africa and drove all the way to Boston to have the pleasure of running with some great people! A lot of people slam social media. But, dude, you're using it in the wrong way if that's your experience. It's enriched my life in so many ways. Thank you!
I turned the big 40 and it seemed like my body broke down all at once. So many injuries. My peroneal tendon freaked out, my IT band tightened up like steel, my hamstring continues to be wicked and my lungs went all kinds of crazy. Even thought I may have had lung cancer for three months! Good lord that sucked! What more can breakdown in the single month left in 2013? Hopefully nothing else! Despite all of that, I still managed to set another PR in my half and full marathon races. Just when you're at your lowest, sometimes amazing things happen that give you an affirmation that you're on your path, that there's still hope and that the future is what you want it to be, not what it will be.
Crazy year with lots of ups and downs. I apologize that things have been quiet here for the last month. Exciting things will be happening the month of December. Not only will Christmas magic be flowing through the air. But, I'll be blogging or video podcasting everyday to celebrate the wrap up of the 366 Project. Thank you for taking the time to honor me with reading this. I hope you'll join me for the month of December!
Run for your lives my friends...
