Yesterday, 1 January 2011, a dream came true. A little dream. Not the big dream to live at the Coast in a cosy little 3-bedroom, sunlight-infused house with a view of the beach, but a dream nonetheless and it's that which matters really.
I'm not happy with the dawn of the new year. It's looking to be even more bleak than last year was - with major financial debts to cover and all sorts of other emotional hurdles to cross. In fact I'm completely overwhelmed at that which 2011 holds and I'm clinging to the current escape from reality I'm experiencing whilst on holiday and away from Jhb.
But back to the positive... at 18h00 yesterday I could hold out no longer. I put on my running shorts and my shoes, gave directions to S for the kids' dinners cooking away in the oven, then put further thoughts of family responsibiities out of my mind and went running.
I ran in the bright sunshine, with Blouberg ahead of me, Table Mountain behind me and a little lake to my left. I ran and I ran and I loved it.
The dream that has been building over the past few months prior to this trip to CT has been to run on the beach. To feel the rush of the wind, to smell the sea air and to feel the sand beneath my running shoes.So at the end of my route yesterday, instead of running straight down the road towards home, I took a little detour to the right and headed to the beach.
Imagine the scene - bright sunlight at 18h30 with the sun making its lazy journey along its evening path towards the horizon; not a breath of wind; a clear view of the mountain (that alone is food for the soul); people exercising, playing with their children, eating, relaxing, romanticising. I made my way down to the water's edge and started running. I ran and ran. Not with the beach just in view, not alongside the beach but ON the beach and as I ran I laughed.
At the end of this exhilirating experience I collapsed onto the beach and cried - for joy! A dream come true - and isn't that what 2011 should be all about. I wish I could grasp the memory and the elation and keep it in a bottle for future use. But maybe by writing it down I'll be able to make use of the memory the next time I need a little soul food.
Baby steps...
