How do you Remember?

It has happened again! I have been inspired to think about some things as a result of reading Pat's blog.
http://road2warriordash.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/never-forget/#comment-129

Pat wrote about one's need to de-clutter. We all do it. Take a walk down memory lane by looking through collections we, as adults, realize don't hold the value we believed them to once hold. We sell them realizing they will make someone happy but now feel a void. We look through boxes of old photos, playbills, awards, etc. and wonder if the memory itself is enough to stand the test of time or the article is needed to retain that time in our life for evermore.

I am a Class A pack rat! I have various boxes that contain memorabilia from the various stages of my life. I do sort them periodically if not frequently to try and down size. I always seem to retain more than I intended. However, this blog is not about our need to reevaluate our clutter or whether Hoarders should schedule an intervention in the name of our friends and family. It is about using a memory, article from the past, to recall an especially great or challenging moment in our life. We do this in an effort to continue to propel ourselves in the direction we wish to travel in our life. Perhaps we want to achieve academic status like we did in high school and our honor society sash reminds us. Maybe we have our first speeding ticket or school referral to remind us of a time we were reckless in an effort to not repeat that time of our life. For Pat, it is his Warrior Dash t-shirt, medal, and wooly horn hat. Regardless of his many future attempts to de-clutter his room, house, or life, those items will remain. He will use them as anchor to a time, a memory, within his past that will help to propel him in a positive direction.

Now, this is my blog so I will share with you my anchor. Reading Pat's blog reminded me of my first 5k. If you have been paying attention thus far you are aware of my first 5k being my last to date as a result of an injury. Incidentally, I too have my medal from my first 5k ... its currently hanging on my wall unit so I had to, and continue to, look at everyday for the last 9 weeks. I looked at it everyday as I sat without the ability to walk without aid from an injury sustained at that race. I heard many people tell me, " That is why I don't run- injuries" and " I bet you wont run another race." Boy! are they wrong! I fully intend to run again. I look at that medal and say. " Damn girl, you did it! You finished?" I also say," You did it WITH and ON a broken ankle. I got your IronGirl right here!"

In closing, like Pat, I will forever cherish that medal and all that it means to me. It's a reminder of a time I might have been a little crazy by running on an injured ankle BUT it is also the time I ran and finished my first 5k. I say first because there will be more. This is the first of many medals to come. I will finish what I started- a healthy hobby that cleanses the spirit and relaxes the mind. A hobby I thought I would NEVER do but did Big!

Thanks again Pat for the inspiration... We are gonna run together real soon!