Two weeks ago I wrote that life after children had become about getting back in shape and keeping up with my adult children.  I was inspired and started running with my youngest daughter.  Last week I didn’t update my blog - I was lying in a hospital bed waiting to have surgery to repair my broken shoulder, the result of a fall while running.  This past week my life has been about being broken and trying to heal - physically and emotionally - and pondering that age old question:  does everything happen for a reason, or sometimes, does shit just happen?

Last Tuesday Jordyn and I caught the 6:20 ferry from Nanaimo, landed at Horseshoe Bay (just north of Vancouver) at 8:00, and pulled up to my daughter’s apartment building in Edmonton just under 12 ½ hours later.  It felt so good to wrap my arms around this daughter too and to give my new son-in-law a hug hello.  I’m enjoying spending time with Alex and getting to know Matt.  I also had a great reunion with my favourite brother (it took him until he was about 6 to realize this wasn't quite the compliment he thought it was - he's my only brother), and look forward to spending more time with him while I'm here.

Alex has run 2 half marathons, as has her husband.  Matt also does triathlons and next Sunday will take part in a half Iron Man, so they are obviously a very fit couple.  They recently got Jordyn into running so on Thursday morning I decided to get off my butt and join her for a run - the first one I’ve done in decades.  Jordyn and I ran for 4 minutes, walked for 1, and kept that up for 2.5 km - I was very proud of myself!  Today we ran for 3.5 km; it was much more challenging and my legs felt like jelly at the end but I did it.  Now I’m actually considering joining Alex and Jordyn on a 5 km run next Saturday.

So, at 54 I’m discovering that life after children is about getting back in shape and keeping up with your children.  Maybe I’m crazy but I’m inspired to be in the best shape of my life in my fifties and sixties.

HELLO VICTORIA - AND GOODBYE AGAIN!

I’ve been back in Canada for one week now - I’m too physically and emotionally drained to write much.  I spent the first morning here getting my car back on the road and arranging for the police check I need for my new visa. I had a 2 ½ hour drive down the beautiful island highway - without speeding - well, at least I didn’t get a ticket - with the windows down, the music blaring, singing my heart out to my favourite kick-ass girl songs!  I pulled into Saxepoint Park with Gloria Estevan’s ‘Do the Congo’ blasting, thinking my daughter would know before she even saw my car that it was me coming.  Jordyn, however, was so caught up playing with her friend’s baby she didn’t see me until I was almost on top of her!  But I did get a great big hug that nearly knocked me off my feet, and I picked her up off hers.  I opted for the hip mom response of “Cool tat, Jordyn.” - and it does, in fact, look very tasteful.   It was so good to see my daughter #3,and to catch up with her friends from school and with my friends, but the week sped by too quickly.  Thank you, Diane for your hospitality, I felt at home with you and it was so great to catch up, friend. Thank you Jan for the amazing lunch you made; I had a wonderful afternoon with you and Carol and Claudette.  Delilah, it was so, so good to see you again, girl.  I even popped in to see the ladies of the James Bay Women’s group; it wasn’t the same without Minnie who passed away recently but I did see some of the other ladies who have inspired me to follow my dreams.

I've missed my home so much and wish I could have spent more time walking by the ocean, and exploring my favourite parts of the city, but there just wasn't time. 

So now I’m back up in Comox; I picked up my police clearance today and sent all the papers off for my new Saudi visa.   Jordyn and I leave at first light tomorrow to catch the ferry from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay, and then we have a 12-13 hour drive to Edmonton and another long awaited reunion - daughter # 1 and #1 son-in-law!