P1110009One of the great benefits of uniting with a running group is to find sympathy and compassion from your peers as the mileage increases. We are like most everything else when it comes to mileage. Age begins to show through, things droop and sag, there are noises that never used to be there. Squeaks, rattles, shaking, burned out dash indicators . . . we talk more about the litany of shared injury experiences and the new medications that we are on. I show up many mornings praying for a downpour of rain so that I can count the effort alone as a kilometer or two in the log book. It is noteworthy that the earlier blog reflections happened to be written by one of the younger members of the group. But whatever the case, . . . whatever the impediment or injury, . . whatever the reason for my absence, I am greeted with deep concern, compassion and sympathy when I show up for coffee smelling as fresh as a daisy . . . NOT!!!!!!! You had better not bleed around a 6AM’er! They apply pressure to the wound but not to stop the bleeding . . . to squeeze more blood out and to create more pain. Well Johnnie O. – I want you to know that I understand. We had a great walk/run today . . . didn’t we? Even the “impervious-to-pain” Tigger walked with us a bit. Despite the fact that his “check-engine” light is burned out, he slowed down . . . walked and talked with us.  So anyway . . . for some strange reason, I wouldn’t change this group of friends for anything.  They have helped me in so many ways to face life as it comes.  None of know what tomorrow will bring . . . we are guaranteed nothing.  Life is . . . well . . . life.  God on the other hand is good.  Good to see us through trials and adversity and to give us the presence of others who keep pace with each faltering step that we take.  Gotta’ love it!