Today I had dinner with a former student and her mom. We had an instant bond and have stayed close throughout the years. She is graduating this year and I cannot believe it has been so long. I knew her when she was a shy little sixth-grader and now she is an amazing young woman.
After dinner I came home and read. Yesterday I started Dog Crazy by Meg Donnie and could not stop reading it. 
As much as I enjoyed the book, I cried harder than I have in awhile. The book’s main character, Maggie, is a pet bereavement counselor who has recently lost her own dog. Everything that she was going through I felt I was going through all over again. My sweet Val may have left me over a year ago, but the pain is still as fresh as the day I put her down. She was my best friend. She gave me confidence and strength. I have been so lost without her. This book, as silly as it was. made me feel better. I still miss Val every day, but this book told me that is okay.
I still would give anything to get Val back. I need her to tell her reassuring looks. I miss her live in the moment out look on life. I need her to tell me that most problems can be solved by a walk or throwing the ball. I need her to get my butt off the couch and moving!
On Wednesday I finished yet another book. I actually think this was the first ebook I ever bought.
Confessions of a Fat Marathoner by Kristina Burkey was surprisingly inspiring. The chapters were blog posts that were compiled into a book. The author’s goal was to run the Boston Marathon and to lose weight. She accomplished both and struggled every step of the way. She made excuses for everything, thought about giving up numerous times, and was brutally honest about it all.
So am I going to follow through and finally run/walk the 5K I have always wanted to?
I hope so.
I really do.
