I'm not so much of a morning person, and I needed to start earlier in order to get my 4 miles in. Instead, I only allowed time for 3 miles. I must say it was a good 3 miles, though. I pushed myself, and added the jogging to every lap. From there, I busted ass to get home and showered and off to my first day of volunteering at the elderly care facility. I must say, it was emotionally pretty hard. As the director explained, most of their residents are "low functioning." It was gut wrenching to see people in the condition they are in. Most of the residents couldn't make eye contact, if they even opened their eyes. I welled up with tears when the director asked a resident if she wanted to sing. The resident was chewing on a towel. Anyway, the director sang, and the resident started to mouth some of the words. I found it so very heartbreaking. I thought of this woman, and how much she must've loved singing, and now her mind/body just aren't there to enjoy it, anymore. I did meet a couple of people, who should be able to engage in conversation. I figured I'd dive right in, and start the volunteering solo tomorrow. I'll be reading to residents in a one on one setting. I'm really hoping I'm a strong enough person to do this. I know it could be rewarding to my soul.
I had the meeting with the special ed dept. today, for Cal. It went really well. I warms my heart to see how much the staff seems to enjoy working with our son. I don't think I'll ever love living in IL, but it really was the right move for us. The school system is exceptional.
Boy, I was nervous coming into the weigh in this morning. I was down 3 lbs! So, I got down below that number. Now, onto the next. I'm trying really hard to be excited about 3 lbs. I have to let go of the old me, who was never satisfied. I'm down 18 pounds now from my heaviest. Even with this, I'm still super heavy for me. By this, I mean, even super fat for when I am fat. I'd love to weigh in next week and be down another 18, but that's not the way it works. I need to appreciate what I've done. My friend Tammi called today, and she was such a great cheerleader when I told her of my loss for the week. She really did help to get my mind in a better place. Since talking to her, I just keep thinking of (3) lb. tubes of hamburger. I lost that!
So far today, I'm so happy for 3 things that have brought joy to my heart: meeting Elizabeth, who pushed me harder than I've been pushing myself, my 3 mile walk, and the 3 lb. weight loss. I have more than those things to be grateful for today, but I'm exceptionally grateful for those things.
Well, I'd better get to working on the book. I'm getting closer to the end, and I really would like to finish it before I get a jobby job.
I hope you all have a wonderful day. What are your 3 things?
~Jen