The Best 4,129 Miles of My Life

Two years ago, I decided that I wanted a cat.

Well, I already had a cross-eyed feline named 'Lunchbox' who was a rescue (actually, a product of a divorce who got the boot) and whose original name was 'Lucky.' (How lucky can you be if you end up at the shelter? I digress.) I also already had a Bullmastiff named Tinkerbell or an Old English Sofa Dog.

But, neither the cat nor the dog decided to keep me as theirs. My heart had this gaping chasm.

It was precisely the size of a 9.7lb Persian cat.

However, before adding a third child to the family, I had to discuss this with my other half. After a moment's pondering, he made me a deal. "Okay, you can get a Persian cat...." he said confidently,..."if it is black, declawed (we do not believe in declawing cats and because Lunchbox was previously declawed by his former owners, our new addition would need to be as well), neutered, up for adoption AND has orange eyes!"

Thinking he had put before me the impossible task, I got to work and after three months of searching; I FOUND HIM! And I just KNEW, ...just KNEW!...he was mine - and I would be his. :)

He was in Tuscon. Arizona. Approximately 2064.5 miles away from me.

After convincing the owners that I was indeed serious about flying across the country to adopt my cat, I got a ticket. We agreed to meet in the Tuscon airport where I would have 30 minutes to get off of my plane, say hello & pick him up, get back through security (with a very freaked out Persian), and back onto the plane home. This process went pretty smoothly.

I arrived back to the plane which happened to be the same plane in which I had arrived. On the journey over, a few of the flight attendants had asked me just why I was grinning from ear to ear the entire flight. And loving the story - when we arrived back to the plane for the ride home, they had upgraded me to FIRST CLASS!!! And so with my new furry friend and a big first-class chocolate chip cookie, we were off into the wild blue yonder.

It was the best 4,129 miles of my life.

My point is simply this: If you want something - regardless of the challenges that are required of you to achieve it - go get it. Go all out for it. And when little surprises come up along the way, smile, and be thankful for the journey.

Liebestraum

Liebestraum is German for "dreams of love" and is also one of Franz Liszt's most famous piano solos.

As of late, Fall arrived in full effect and to my dismay is already beginning to depart. Too many of the trees are already showing their naked and bony branches with their vibrant coating of leaves huffed and puffed into cold, yellow-orange masses on the ground.

Yet, to those still remaining clothed in coats of many colors - I find myself running with my head tilted back, eyes wide, mouth and nose clear and wanting to take in every possible scene and scent that my senses can handle. Slow and theatrical, they pass over my head shading and showing me lonely rapture.

I want to and do - fling my arms out wide, let the sun penetrate my vision, and feel this rare, warm yet crisp air stream across my face, neck, and through my ponytail.

I watch the leaves swirl around in the air and slowly come to a resting place even though I sometimes barge through the delicate dance. All of this happening around me as I progress through a run in this season that I so adore.

Although I struggle to find the best words -- there is nothing like fall running and hence a minute dream of love.