Of messages in the sand... and milestones and such

Two nights ago I went to visit my old flatmate on the hill and her lovely cats, but had to abbreviate my visit due to a crazy onset of hay fever. Runny nose, puffy, watery eyes, itchy... All in under 2 hours. In fact, the episode continued long enough that I ended up taking half of yesterday off work. Strange, man. I wonder what in that house hit me that way- and also how I managed to live there for 8 months. I hope it wasn't the cats- but I've visited other cats in other houses, without the strange reaction. Anyway, there is no question that my breathing is much better in my nice, double glazed, new apartment. I am thankful for that!

It's now been 2 years since I first departed Nelson to live over the hill in Blenheim. I don't miss it and am so thankful to be back here.

Because of my yucky feeling yesterday poast my old flat visit, I didn't go for my usual run this am as I wasn't sure how well I was yet feeling. Instead I went tonight. As I approached the lovely Tahuna beach I looked down and saw a message written in the sand. "Fight the cancer dad. I love you. xxx." That message really touched me. I love Tahuna- and really can't begin to say how much. It is what motivated me to even begin running when I was in Nelson the first time around- with a visit there being my reward for the effort of the run. In those visits I've seen a variety of messages in the sand including "Will you marry me?". But for some reason, this one touched my heart tonight. We all stand in sand, in a way. Our days are finite and we don't know how many we will have. When the tide comes up that message in the sand will wash away, but their love will never wash away.