Mother's Day

We went to church this morning. My daughter was speaking, and she invited us to come. I was able to see my sweet granddaughters, and hear a beautiful "sermom" to boot. My daughter mentioned to me, that she had gotten a message from Jed wishing her a happy mother's day. He absolutely adores his little nieces, Ellye and Aeva.
Later that evening I got a call from Jed. He was still running for the day, and was talking to me as he ran along, telling me about his impressions of Kentucky and wishing me a happy Mother's Day as well.
I could hear the big rigs as they whooshed by him along the highway, where the trail often goes. Between the trucks and the wind, it was quite a conversation...and amazingly we stayed connected the whole time. In Kentucky, cell reception often just cuts out, but thankfully I was able to hear Jed the whole time. He was headed into a little town called Hindman, where he had heard about a bed and buffet special that was available to the cyclists along the Transamerica Bike Trail. Of course he was not a cyclist, he was on foot, but was hoping to get same special. After a month in the mountains, it was time to get a shower and wash his clothes. I don't even want to imagine what he smells like by now, but I can imagine it isn't good. He was also going to stop and eat....and eat.....and eat. A lot of calories are burned off running 25 to 30 miles per day.... up and down mountain slopes to boot.
He said that his legs were like boards. I believe it. Years ago I was a dancer. My legs were pretty toned in those days too. How did I get to be such a mushroom? Ah well....
Jed said that in about 4 days he would be in a town called Berea, Kentucky. It is the "gateway" to the Appalachian territory. The country will level out then, and his running surfaces will become a lot less hilly. He is hopeful he will be able to knock out more miles then. This first part of the journey, getting "broken in" to the punishment of the run, has been really hard for me to adjust to. I know he has been running on bleeding, blistered feet. Shredded feet really, and I would have taken that from him if I could have, but then I realize I wouldn't.....it would have robbed him of what he knew he could do. Know what? I knew he could do it too. The conversation ended with..... "Happy Mother's Day mom. I love you."
I love you too Jed. My heart is full.

*a post note: Jed also told me about a great photo he got today. Stopping into a gas station/store, he saw an old OLD Ford 250 pickup pull into the pump. Apparently there were an unbelievable amount of tires piled up in the back of the pickup. He kept hearing "Ma-a-a-ah......ma-a-a-h" from the back of the truck. Looking up into the hugh pile of tires, he saw a goat staked at the top of the pile of tires. Not wanting to offend anyone, he slid his camera gently up under his arm, and clicked a photo of the little critter atop the mound. Apparently, according to Jed....the folks in this part of Kentucky seem to have more old tires in back yards, on porches and in trucks than anyplace he has ever seen in the country. He thinks they may have more than Michelin.