Great Expectations

I've been thinking about Lindsey's email (the one where she quoted MJ as saying, "You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them."), and I must say that I have always thought of myself as a goal setter...one who has a list and checks things off...a bit OCD if you will. In fact, a friend of mine asked me how in the world I became involved with this 1/2 marathon (I'm new to the running scene) and I said, "My sister asked me to and I said 'yes'" To which he replied, "You mean, 'she threw down the guantlet and you couldn't resist'." Knowing full well that I am always up for a challenge, he saw it as one more "check" on my list of things.

But, it hit me the other day that my "list of things" has become so focused on others' expectations of me, or my expectations of others that I haven't really expected much of myself lately. I don't want this run to be another one of my "checks." I want to expect great things and achieve them. Last Saturday, Robin and I ran for 50 minutes. That's the longest I've ever run without stopping. And, I can tell you with full confidence that my 5-miler this coming Saturday doesn't seem near as daunting!

I lost my grandfather this morning. He was a kind and loving man. Generous, with an amazing sense of humor. Always dressed to the nines and oh-so handsome. A God-fearing soul and a hard-working man. A soldier. A leader. Faithful to his family. Ever ready to share a joke and hearty laugh. Someone with great expectations. After helping my aunts write some of his obituary, I started thinking...what will mine look like? Will it read, "someone with a constant list of chores to cross off"? or "godly woman with great expectations"? I hope the latter. A-train

"Always remember that striving and struggle precede success, even in the dictionary." - Sarah Ban Breathnach