On my last day of being 37, I decided to go out for a 4 mile run. I went without Jameson so that I could run unencumbered, fast, just me and my thoughts. It was a gorgeous, bright blue sky morning; cool at 31 degrees. The first two miles, I could feel my lungs burning with the brisk air, the cold seeping through my gloves. I stopped to readjust my shoelaces and shirt and as I took off for the second half of my run, I felt amazing! I could feel the bounce in each step, and gave silent appreciation for my new Mizunos that I just love. I gave thanks for my body feeling happy and healthy; and for the moment in time for me to enjoy basking in the present. As I ran west along the trail paralleling the 202 and the alfalfa field, I looked up to the tops of the light posts wondering if I would see one of the hawks. It'd been a while since I'd seen one, and I pondered how cool and fitting it would be to see one as a culmination present of this year. I let the thought go and smiled as I passed the tree where the roadrunner lives and reminisced about how he had run alongside of me and Jameson a few days earlier. How cool is that?! To be running buddies with a road runner!
As I turned the corner on Recker and Warner to make my way back home, The Killers' "Mr. Brightside" came on and made me grin from ear to ear. Every time I hear that song, it fills my soul with energy and vivacity! I can't help but sing along, and it was exactly what I needed to finish strong.
From the route I was taking, I usually run up the last quarter mile on the east side of Benjamin St. but something in me made me want to hop over to the west side. With a quick look behind me, I zipped out into the street, kicking up my pace to avoid breaking my stride to wait for the oncoming car; and continued sprinting up the street until I caught a white figure out of the bottom corner of my right eye. And, what should it be.... A RED TAILED HAWK!!!! It was on the ground feeding on a pigeon, and I was literally less than 2 feet away from it and it did not care! I yanked my earbuds out and tried to catch my breath as it was being simultaneously taken away in disbelief at being so close to this magnificent creature!!! I was beside myself and then started crying tears of joy - of utter disbelief yet belief that the Universe brought me something even BETTER than I had asked for!!!
WOW, Universe! Way to pull out ALL the stops! I sat on the sidewalk to be closer to eye level with it; and was immune to the cold - I felt nothing but warmth and giddiness - pure glee at my fortune! The hawk, after finishing up the pigeon, flew into the nearby tree and started preening its claws, picking out any leftovers, and then rubbing its bill along the tree branches. It looked down at me every so often, and I was still blown out of my mind - observing it and giving thanks for being able to bear witness to such an extraordinary event. I continued to watch the hawk and it flew into a palm tree and then into the roof gutter of a house. It poked its head around, I'm sure searching for pigeon eggs.
I continued to feel completely overcome by emotions - waves of energy of gratitude and feelings of "See, I told you. Believe."
It was truly THE BEST way for the year to end. An amazingly exquisite teacher, a sign and an omen of the year to come.
Thank you, Universe <3
