I am in Steamboat Springs, CO, with Tim, Brigid, and Kevin, and right now, to me, it is the most  beautiful place in the world. This morning, Tim dropped me off at the Steamboat Fitness Studio for a Core Yoga Vinyasa Flow class that almost killed me. I’ve gotten over trying to pray my way through poses and have learned to rely on my breath – with the coaching of many instructors.

After yoga, Watson and I ran along the Yampa, and as I watched him veer off the path for occasional drinks from the crystal clear river, I was struck by his eternal gratefulness for the cool water. His tail wagged rythmically as he completely immersed himself in the gift. His beautiful simplicity and joy permeated my thoughts.

While running, I day dreamed about all the family and friends who would love to see what I see.  Katie, Bethy, Brendan, Bobby, mine and Tim’s brothers and sisters, our mothers, the Biesens, running soulmates, Chicago friends,  book club, our travel group, Valpo friends, U of I dinner group, the Masters Swim team…. But they’re not here. Appreciation for them overhwhelms me, but presence here and now is what matters.  My desire to share all that I love about Steamboat – the peace in these mountains and this spectacular valley – takes me on a path to the future. I need to stay here. Thanks for the reminder, Buddha. What a fluke for me to discover Buddha’s quote printed on the studio yoga mat this morning.