“I apologize in advance if my eyes roll back while you are talking to me.” – Jason, ACF

Today was one of those days. Where everything was right, and good. And I’m pretty sure Someone was smiling down upon me, because the bright rays from some very good people shone brightly upon my day in a succession of wonderful gifts, random kindnesses, and thoughtful words throughout the day.

The first gift: Delivered to me today by someone I had only barely known before, but had the chance to get to know yesterday during a group dinner I wasn’t even that intent on attending. Over the course of the evening what began as casual conversation slowly grew to talking about books, family, dating, and then finally, to discovering that this person and I had very similar unique experiences growing up. Experiences I do not talk about. It was one of those conversations that catches you off guard, that you never think you will have except with your absolute and total best friend. And they probably already know the story, having heard it long ago. So, its something you never, I never, talk about. Alas, the dinner ended. We hugged, and thanked one another for being so open, and sharing and talking.

And then today, out of nowhere, she stopped by my office to deliver a book we talked about, and a card, in an envelope, with my name handwritten across the front. I couldn’t believe it. This act of thoughtfulness, of openness, of kindness. It wasn’t until later that I realized she had written an inscription in the book:

“No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope and fear;
But grateful take the good I find,
The best of now and here.”
– John Greenleaf Whittier

Later in the day, I received an email from a friend, who recently, apprehensively, I was certain had been growing distant. Granted, they are in the middle of a war zone. But there’s a difference between physical and emotional distance. We all know this too well. There are so many Worry Fueled Jumping Off Points in this scenario. Sometimes I really struggle to rein them all in. Add missing this person and wanting to be near them as much as I do to the mix, and you just have heaviness even a Deadlift can’t fix. Today, this person acknowledged my sadness, and took the time to patiently write to me explaining in more detail their day to day, asking me not to worry so much, that they were okay, and not going anywhere.

Sometimes you just need to hear these things, from the people you love. It was a gift.

Now, for the last gift of the day. This gift was from… wait for it… you know what I’m going to say: Oh, Crossfit, you big softy. You give me gifts every day. But during today’s WOD, as I struggled with the last rounds during those damn hand release pushups, Instructor Kim actually got down on the triple wide floor next to me and joined in the reps, shouting encouragement all the way. Pure awesomeness.

Warm-Up:

Russian Gymnastics Warm-Up – Day 2

WOD:

I. Squat Cleans

3 – 3 – 3 – 3

Completed: the first two rounds @ 65lbs. The last two rounds @ 75lbs.

II. 10 Rounds for Time:

15 Deadlifts (135/95)

15 Hand-Release Pushups

Completed: In just under the 20 minute mark, 18:55. Deadlifts @ 75lbs. Hand release pushups scaled to hand release knee pushups.