This weekend was a full one. Not much time for anything extra, only those things that were on the calendar. My final art show as the Wylie Prep art teacher happened on Saturday morning . Let me back up, the prep for the show started on Wednesday. It takes 3 days to gather all the art, judge it, number it, all 653 piece and hang and set the show late into Friday night. As always for more than 25 year my bestie Karen was by my side. She has been a part of the prep for all these years. She never missed even when she was battling cancer. I couldn’t imagine her not finishing this out with me. I hugged her in the parking lot and we drove away she in one direction me in another. I cried all the way home. She is a strong hold in my life. The best sister anyone could luck into as a neighbor so many years ago.
Saturday morning the show started at 10am I was there at 6am. I ribboned all the winners and sat in the floor and cried. I’ve loved this job, I’ve loved these kids and I’ve loved serving God for a mission he called me to do. I can’t explain i. I’m so sad to leave but I know my God is so big and he is calling me in another direction. I know I’m walking the path he is laying out for me. I can’t see all the stepping-stones He is laying. I’m sure as each day goes on the path will clear for me to see. Only in God’s time.
I had to run home at 9 to put the dogs in the vets for boarding. We had to leave for Waco as soon as the show us over. I showed back up to school at 9:30 where I found Sara my lower school dean. She had brought me the most beautiful flowers you have ever seen. Again I cried, seems this is going to be a rolling theme over the next 3 weeks.
Arriving in Waco I had to make it to the runners check in before it closed. We made it with time to spare. If it wouldn’t have been for all those parents and students helping with the show I might not have made it. We took all 653 piece of art back to the studio, took 15 tables down and cleaned up in 24 minutes. It was amazing, so thank you all that helped me get to Waco in time.
Race day was Sunday. I felt good mainly because I didn’t have time to think. I got up got dressed and went to the start line. I got there just in time to see the Marathon and half Marathon take off. Chip lead the half with both his daughters and a stroller with baby Crew.
Greg and our friend Amy waited at the halfway mark in front of Cameron’s Trading. It was great to have that support halfway to push me through. Someone said “Oh your only doing the 5K”. Yes, I’m only running 3.1 miles at 7:30 in the morning and I did it in 44 minutes. This race was important because I’ve been preparing more than even my gym girls knew about. Well, it paid off because I broke my personal record I set for myself in a big way. I’m always the slow one in the group when we do a 5K but I’m getting faster and next year I’ll even be faster.
This race was like any other 5K but once I started the run I realized it was different. I realized I had gotten so much stronger than last year. The recent weight loss made me faster. My body was stronger but so was my head. I’ve reached a point of strength within I’ve never had before. My head is clear and my heart has forgiven. I don’t carry so much of that past crap with me anymore. As I ran I got faster and faster. Most 5K’s I tire at the end but this time I felt like I could run even further. I ran this Monday morning with a smile on my face thinking of the blessings of the art show and the 5K.
Greg and I love our life here in Dallas. We love being so close to our grands and kids. It’s hard not to notice we also have a special life we have built down in Waco. Each time we go we build on more friends and friendships. We aren’t leaving Dallas but we do love Waco. I’m sure there is a second home in our future maybe on the lake. What a great place to gather our family for a weekend. Time will only tell.
This weekend was full and I’m so tired, but a good tired. I’ll be filling these last few weeks of school loving on my kiddo’s at school. Lots of treats and love are at hand. Then I’ll prepare for my very last art camp. I’m gonna go out big and in full color in art camp. I’ve got surprises up my sleeve so watch out WPA this is gonna be fun.
