Walked to the Jewel Tree today and the only thing remaining from the cake offering was a few scattered rose petals. In the colder months an offering from the Pink Angel would last as long as a week, so I feel fortunate that I was witness to this latest one.
I then walked to the track and was feeling quite good, even strong, and did something which I normally don't do, which is end the workout while still feeling fresh. The point of all the running and muscle exercises is to bring to the edge of exhaustion both body and mind, then there is a chance that a wave of euphoric relaxation will settle into me, and there is nothing quite like it. It creates powerful memories which bring me happiness in future days. Today, though, I just wanted to take it easy and enjoy my surprisingly good fitness.
After the track workout I walked to the market to get bread, carrots, and garlic, had a good lunch and took a long nap. When I woke I was feeling energetic and somewhat fresh so I decided to walk to the hill adjacent McCormick Place. The hills at the Island are now overgrown with weeds and wild grass and the birds which have nests on the hills have become aggressive. On the walk to the hill I thought of running Blackwell Hill in the 1980's with the sun setting and the moon rising. I also thought of the euphoric running days while in Thailand and drinking chocolate milk on the steps of the 7-11.
I ran 5 reps on the hill and decided to stop while still fresh so that the 3 mile walk home would not be toilsome. I stopped at the market and bought a chocolate milk and drank it on the bench outside the store as the sun was setting. More memories arrived, the hot summer days of childhood and sneaking into the seminary grounds and sitting alone on a bench with a view of a large green field filled with yellow dandelion flowers while hundreds of yellow and white butterflies flew freely about and then walking up Calvary Hill and marveling at the scenes of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. I pondered the nature of these thoughts, what is a memory, what is the past, and did anything actually happen if no one is around to remember?
When I got home I ate a larger than normal meal knowing that tomorrow my energy would suffer and this is a good thing because it will force me to stay home and rest. Today was a good day, a day of enjoying my health, of not pushing too hard, relaxing, smiling, and remembering. Easy.
