Facing the Wind

google image...Winnie the Pooh book


Winnie the Pooh: Happy "Winds-day", Piglet. 
Piglet: [being blown away] Well... it isn't... very happy... f-for me. 
Winnie the Pooh: Where are you going, Piglet? 
Piglet: That's what I'm asking myself, where? 
[he is lifted into the air by a gust of wind] 
Piglet: W-Whoops! P-P-P-Pooh! 
Winnie the Pooh: [grabbing Piglet's scarf] And what do you think you will answer yourself? 

Benjamin and I were in need of a change of scenery.  We had been working away at school, recovering from a long weekend with family and the sun just beckoned us to come play.  Besides this could be marked off as a science and gym, while letting me exercise my stubborn fat off.  So off we went with our bikes packed into the back of the car to the near by bike trail.

As I struggled to remove our bikes from the truck I giggled to Benjamin, "well we might not have to pedal much the wind will just push us along." That is exactly what the wind did as we glided over the first mile of the trails.  Now you will ask, "doesn't she check the weather?"  Why NO!  The warm, breezy, sunny fall day was just what my mood was in need of.

I rounded the end of the lake trail to continue back toward our beginning destination while Benjamin following close behind.  The first gust of wind hit my face as I heard Benjamin cry out, "Mom STOP!"
I immediately dismounted my bike and turned to see this little helmet wearing, training wheel biker come flying past me grinning from ear to ear while yelling with a giggle, "You Loser!"

This competitive mother couldn't let a six-year-old pass his 51-year-old over-weight momma.

I climbed back on my pink bike, pushing my thunder thighs to pass him up with, "you called me a Loser?"

Then the wind hit us!  The leaves started flying, the dust started to hit us in the face.  Benjamin's speed came to a crawl and my thighs were feeling the burn.  We were inching along fighting the wind.

I encouraged my biking partner, "well we are sure using different muscles aren't we?"

We fought and fought to get back to our beginning mark.  The first mile the wind was behind us making the  journey pleasant, the second mile the wind pushed at us on all sides, making the ride a challenge.

Neither of us stopped, my thighs burned, his little legs pushed forward.  We came to a fork in the road, Benjamin chose to go around one way while I circled the other direction.
I beat him to the finish line.  He looked up and said, "you chose the right way!"
I laughed to myself, "Yes, there are times my wisdom in my old age pays off and he is still at the age of thinking I know everything...I am going to capture each moment of that if I can."

We carried our tired bodies and bikes to the car.  As we entered our neighborhood the wind damage was everywhere!   This mom had missed the weather report stating "wind alert".  Fences were knocked over, our patio umbrella was thrown across the yard and our suburban windmill was blown over!

Oh my!   We had survived the wind alert and won!
There are times that life just blows you forward...wind in your hair, the wind beneath your wings...then there are times you stand with your face to the wind!  You face the wind and move forward.

Prayers still being prayed for all those affected by Sandy and for the team from San Antonio, Texas - Blood and Fire (updates on their site click on name) who are there being His hands and feet...love you!