Today we went for a bike ride and I told my daughter about the time I ran with a dolphin. It's a cute and memorable story that gave me a lot of joy and peace and I thought I'd share it here today.
It was about 13 years ago, back in my single, footloose days, when I had the time and energy to exercise two times a day. Part of my exercise routine would be to run about 4-6 days a week, for 2-4 miles a day, sometimes more. This one particular day was a typically beautiful California day and I was running along the bike path that stretched alongside the beach. I was about 3/4 of a mile from my house when I looked out to the ocean and spotted the dolphin. I had never seen a dolphin at this beach. For one, the jetty almost completely encapsulates this strand of beach and the oil rigs in its center don't add to the water quality. But there it was, jumping in and out of the water right along side of me. Between the sand and water we were probably at least 50 feet away from each other. Yet, it seemed to unmistakably be keeping pace with me. There was no one in front or behind me that I could see, and only a couple people passed in the opposite direction.
As I jogged not extremely fast, it kept constant and exact pace with me jumping at frequent and steady intervals. And we ran this way for the remainder of my jog home. I stopped as I headed up the stairs to see it off, but the water must have become too shallow at that end of the beach, because after I stopped I didn't see it any longer. Part of me hopes that when I start jogging I can see it again. I've taken several walks along the bike path since we've moved back, but part of me thinks it's not until I start jogging again that I may, if ever, have the chance to see my running partner again.
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What would you say to you in response if you were me?