hello, self

happy, happy girl

Saturday my feet were reunited with the trail.

With all the recent chaos of packing and moving and unpacking and more never-ending sorting through boxes in our new life......it has been five long weeks since Charly and I had been out, and WOW!

 Mud splattering up my back has never felt so good.

There are very few things that come naturally to me. I love to try all kinds of activities, hobbies, projects--sign me up for something new! I have gotten quite good at dabbling in this and that (can one be a professional dabbler?).  I can practice and work hard at something, but nothing feels as comfortable and natural to me as running on a trail.

As soon as my feet hit dirt my mind is at ease. Even on a new trail--winding through trees and dodging low branches feels like home. 

A fork in the road? So exciting! Which way should I go today? 

Mud? No problem. Jump it, run around it, or splash right through it. There is a great feeling of accomplishment when I end a run with sticky spring mud freckling my face.

I love to feel my body working hard--legs getting stronger, heart beating steady, lungs bringing in and out the crisp mountain air. The sunshine warming my winter skin. My feet taking their place--knowing exactly where to go over rocks and roots, quick steps up and down the mountain.

We are constantly adjusting in this new life. We love it--yes we do--but there is newness all around. A new house to make home. New streets to navigate. New aisles of grocery stores to wander and wonder where things are. New people to meet. All the newness, while exciting and fun, can leave us looking for just a little bit of something familiar. The kids have their room--all of their very favorite things in place on walls and on shelves (and already cluttering the floor). They spend so much time in there each day, and have told me with smiles on their faces that it feels like home to them (phew!). 

Robby has his work--same work, same people-something familiar for him. 

So I was bursting with happiness as my legs stretched out, feet pounded the dirt softly below, and Charly bounded up ahead.......I had found MY familiar--out on the trail. 

Even on a new trail, I quickly found myself.

I'm curious....
Where are you most comfortable? 
Where do you go to find yourself?