Notes of Encouragement

Yowza! What a week! And it's only Wednesday! And why am I using so many exclamation points?!?!?

Maybe 'cause I'm tired?

Maybe 'cause I'm stressed?

Maybe 'cause they look so cool?

Well, I am tired...and stressed. It's been a challenging week. The auto industry is causing so much pain, the Pavilions project has gone south, and the economic forecasters predict Oakland County losing another 25,000 jobs this year.

But, I think I'm using the exclamation points because they look cool.

That, and I leave tomorrow for Florida. So, technically today is kinda like my Friday!!!

More exclamation points.

I now am starting to get nervous about the race. Do you ever get those feelings that creep in right before a big moment? You know the ones, where you start feeling anxious, and wonder if maybe, perhaps, you don't have it in you? Yeah, the same feelings that we're told not to worry about?

Yep. I got 'em.

So, I've been trying to get them out of my mind. I tried by looking over my training schedule to prove to myself that I've done all I can to prepare for Saturday.

Didn't work.

Maybe I can focus more time and attention on my kids. That worked. For a while.

But the feelings came back.

Then, like rain falling on a parched earth, they started to arrive.

"They," you ask? Your notes. Notes of encouragement. E-mails of support. Calls from well-wishers. Friends slapping me on the back as I walk past.

I've soaked up every one of them. They mean more to me than you know. Having friends like you supporting me means so much. You all will be with me as I start and as I cross the finish line!

Exclamation Point!!!