Winter Blues? What Winter Blues?!?

Another Sunday, another trip to my sister's to burn off some calories. This time, while Ava was snug at home with her Daddy-I actually ran in the snowshoes. Jogged. Laughing all the way. Okay, the actual running only lasted for several bursts, but I ran-don't you see?!? Ran-without another human on my hip, on my back, or breast, in my arms, or being pushed, pulled or carried in a device. It has been a long time since I walked alone.

It has been an even longer time since I carried only myself-2 years, as of next week. Long times to carry someone inside and outside of yourself. Though that little someone is never out of my mind or my heart-physically, I felt a bit lighter today.

I invited a special guest-my pal who just had her big #14. She skied like a gazelle, or prong horn, depending on who you ask-and I trudged along in the snowshoes. Bursting along in a run now and again. After what she witnessed today, my pal just might think her "older" friend is a bit off-that it might not be so cool to grow up and be in your thirties. (Am I really in my thirties?!? No longer just 30!?! Yes, I am. I am almost half way into my thirties-staggering, I know.) I hope that at least she saw you can still have fun and play-even when you are "old".

And you can have fun even if you only on the cusp of 30-I'll give my sister her due last 7 months before she enters her 3rd decade. And fun, even when you have recently waved farewell to your thirties-or even if you are 84-in dog years that is.

I am sure my "goggles" choice could totally embarrass my young friend, if anyone at school ever saw these pictures, but you know, I am trying to protect my eye socket area from the aging effects of squinting and the sun-and I think that is pretty cool.

After our invigorating-or exhausting, again, depending on who you ask, we went out to lunch and had a small shopping excursion. We enjoyed a leisurely drive home, talking about deep things-life, values, personality, popularity, success, awareness, independence, sisters, parents, clothes, sugar scrubs, friends and growing up.

It was a nostalgic day- to spend it with someone 58% younger than me. But guess what? I don't feel 58% older than I did when I was 14-I still feel giddy, curious, enthusiastic, hopeful, confused, scared and confident all at the same time. I am happy and grateful to be in my thirties, I don't think I have the patience to be 14 again. Thirty is the new 14 anyway, haven't you heard?

Winter blues? What winter blues?!?