Cartwheels, Joy

This morning I was running--and for once in my life I was actually feeling good about it. I almost kind of understood the "good" reasons that people subject themselves to this daily torture, I know my motivations for starting to run again were nothing short of horrible.

But anyway. I was done running, on the walking cooldown which comes up alongside a lovely great field complete with wildflowers and butterflies. Without even stopping to think, I plopped my phone and keys in the grass and started to turn row after row of cartwheels.

I don't often feel carefree, I am rarely secure--these are luxuries I can no longer afford. But looking at that beautiful meadow filled with the pink-gold light of morning I felt pure joy. I couldn't control my need to express it--hand, hand, sweep over, foot, foot. Again and again. Watching the world go 'round from grass to sky and back.

Joy sneaks upon us unawares, sometimes ushered in by folks we least expect. To those who have given me so much joy, thank you for spotting me in this tricky business of learning to turn the handsprings of life once again.