One year ago my jubilant athlete of a dog underwent double knee surgery. One knee recovered 100%; the other appeared to be 100% recovered, until recently. When she gets too active the leg will start to slow her down.  I was having the Thanksgiving blues this weekend and decided to go for a long run with my faithful friend. She started limping, but kept up with me and had a smile on her face the whole time. It got me to thinking…

The Limp

There are days when I can run the race of life forever,

And then there are days when I run with a limp.

Most days life’s a party with laughs and jokes and great conversations.

But sometimes I hurt and my heart beats with a limp.

I usually crave long walks in flower-filled fields and hikes in the mountains of living;

Yet occasionally I’m slowed with that limp.

I love to teach my students and reach out to others, to be myself, free to dream about tomorrow.

Often my steps are jolted by the hindering limp of reality.

In this life we are designed to run and walk, live, dream, and love.

As long as we’re here we will always be slowed down by a limp.

I’m living with a limp, but I am living.