If your legs are working today then run
Dear Evan and Lulu,
Someday you are going to wake up and part of your body will fail you. When it happens you will think of nothing else but what you cannot do. I currently can’t run. Even though I had a tumultuous relationship with running, I dream about it every night. My muscles twitch, my joints ache, and I want nothing more than to be able to complain about running again.
I hope you are old when a part of your body stops working. But regardless of your age I hope you realize that you are made up of more than single functions of your body. You are not the pieces of a kit, you are the completed model. Pieces will go missing, but you’ll still be you.
For today, use every piece you have. Treat them well but use them often. You never know how long you’ll have them in your collection.
If your legs are working today then run.
Stretch them further, move them faster, chase the sun.
Or rush forward toward a missed loved one.
If your legs are working today then run.
If your feet are steady today then dance
Do it now, in this moment, while you still have a chance.
Move rhythmically, or spastically, filled with a trance.
If your feet are steady today then dance.
If your mind is sharp today then think.
Challenge thoughts and yourself right up to the brink.
Don’t let smallness of others make your own thoughts shrink.
If your mind is sharp today then think.
If your arms are solid today then hold.
Bridge air to bring loved ones into your fold.
Cling tightly, no space for affection left untold.
If your arms are solid today then hold.
If your voice is strong today then speak.
Let it praise those around you as well as critique.
Laugh loudly, talk boldly, no time to be weak.
If you voice is strong today then speak.
If nothing is working today then rest.
Have faith, give thanks, remember your best.
Your body has led you through a memorable quest.
If nothing is working today then rest.
I love all of your pieces and I’m grateful that mine have served me for as long as they have. Here’s hoping I’ll chase the sun with you someday again.
Last day of physical therapy in 2013. Starting over but not losing hope.
Chop Wood, Carry Water 
I am so sorry that that knee isn’t healed up, but so grateful for the rest of you! Keep finding joy!!
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Thank you my friend. I am grateful for you as well!
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This is such a great post. Such wise advice. Fingers crossed you can run again soon though.
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Thank you! I am crossing everything I’ve got that I will run again. Funny how we don’t really appreciate things until they are gone.
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Always love reading your words of wisdom for your girls. They always tend to be similar to mine, only you are way more brave than I for sharing it with the world. Thanks for being a kindred spirit.
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I am sure you are brave in many ways I am not! Thank you so much for reading and for your support.
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I love your poem. Heal up and keep dreaming about running– it will come back one day.
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I love that poem so much! Thanks for sharing such a great sentiment!
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Aw, this was an extremely good post. Spending some time and
actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I
hesitate a lot and never manage to get anything
done.
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You’ve inspired me so much! Sometimes I feel lazy about going to the gym, but you are so right that I feel ashamed of myself. I wish you a faster rehab!
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