Short Stories

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HITTING THE PAVEMENT

Under the Dark Morning Sky

As I stand under the darkness of the morning sky, I am surrounded by 14 other sisters. I look up, as if I was searching for an answer that could not be found. Then I thought, sometimes, life can seem as dark as the dim morning sky. As far as one can see, there appeared to be no stars dancing in the night sky. No moon shed-ding its light. Just blackness.

But then I come back into my current position and I looked around. One sister walks back and forth as she kicks her legs up into the air to stretch out any stuffiness that may be in her hip joints. Another sister constantly yawns in her attempt to stay awake from the stresses of yesterday. Another stand still with her arms cross, unsure if she even wants to be here. Then to my far left, there is laughter as two sisters greet. For it’s been awhile since they last saw each other.

I closed my eyes for a minute and said a quick prayer. Then I noticed a slight shift in the atmosphere pouring from the Spirits of several others. This eerie feeling of brokenness. But yet, we all here. Dedicated to this 5:00 a.m. routine, in hopes to find some level of serenity for the next hour as we hit the pavement.

Some run in small groups together. Pushing the other to do better than the last time. But most runs alone. In search for a little bit of freedom from whatever they are running from.

As I head into my last half hour of my run alone. I realized that I am not. I recalled along my 2.66 miles run, passing fourteen other sisters. Throughout my route, you hear a panting voice of someone yelling to you, “Good job.” A simple reminder that we are in this together. This darkness that we travel through in the morning night. There are friendly voices reminding you to DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP GOING. I DON’T KNOW YOUR STORY, BUT I AM HERE WITH YOU.

Then I look up into the morning night sky. Still, all I see is darkness, but then this cool gentle breeze brushes my skin. Providing me relief from the morning heat. I am quickly reminded of God’s goodness. Even when I can’t see Him. He is always there providing whatever comforts I need to not just endure, but enjoy another day.

So I am reminded, 14 sisters with 14 different stories. Different goals. And yet, we all come together each week in the morning darkness to pound the pavement. And with every step we take, our stories of frustrations, sorrows, pain, joy, laughter, and victories are left behind until another day.

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