I can't believe it's been a month since I last wrote. Usually, Mom gets on me after a week. I've had a lot of trouble sorting through my thoughts, so maybe that's why I've been reluctant to write. I'm not sure what would come out if I tried or if it would make any sense. I'll get to work on some of those posts, but, for now, here's a snippet about what my early mornings look like.
In theory, Church Hill is laid out on a grid. The truth is, there are several spots on the map where you fall into an abyss from which there is no return. Ok, that was too dramatic, but there are places where the grid falls apart. Three summers ago, I got around this navigational conundrum by running. Unlike driving around, you can't get too far on foot, so you can't get that lost, and you are better able to take in where you are and how you got there.
Before even moving to Church Hill, I signed up for the Richmond Half Marathon in November. There are a number of reasons why I did this: 1. I like running half marathons, 2. I wanted to have something to hold me accountable to exercising and staying in shape, 3. I knew that I would need the personal space and time that running affords me.
One last reason why I did this was because I love running in Church Hill. I recognize corners and streets so that, when I'm driving a CHAT mini-bus full of kids, I know exactly where I am and where I'm going. I've learned that 35th simply ends right before it meets Broad, and 36th meets Broad, but then ends after a block and picks up again somewhere else. Everyone and anyone that I pass smiles and says hello to me as I run by. Some offer an encouraging, "Run Forrest!" but most just say good morning and ask me how I'm doing. It's a small, relatively low-effort way of getting to know my neighbors.
I have been feeling like I'm not doing enough to get involved with this neighborhood. Times when I do try feel so forced and odd. Mostly, I don't try for lack of time or not knowing how to get involved.
But I know that I'll keep running and smiling. Baby steps, you know?
