Breaking News: U.S. Supreme Court takes on Case involving Person with Narcolepsy

The U.S. Supreme Court will take on a case to decide whether a Lutheran Elementary School can be sued for possibly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in firing a teacher with narcolepsy or whether the school is exempt under the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

First - a brief summary of some of the facts*:

Cheryl Perich worked at the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School from 1999-2004.  The school hires two kinds of teachers - "lay" and "called" teachers.  To be a "called" teacher, one must complete University-Level training in Lutheran theology and be declared prepared for ministry by a faculty committee.

In 1999, Perich first worked as a contract teacher teaching kindergarten, but then completed her classwork and became a called teacher in 2000.  By 2004, she was teaching third and fourth grade.  She taught a full time academic curriculum - including math, language arts, social studies, art, and music.  In addition, she taught a religion class four days a week, attended chapel once a week with her class, lead a chapel service twice a year and led her class in prayer daily.  In total, activities devoted to religion took up about approximately 45 minutes of the seven hour school day.

In the summer of 2004, Perich became ill and underwent a series of medical tests to determine the cause.  In August, still without a definitive diagnosis, the school administrators suggested Perich apply for a disability leave of absence for the 2004-2005 school year, which she did.  The school principal assured her she would have a job when she returned to health.

In December 2004, Perich informed the school that her doctor had confirmed a diagnosis of narcolepsy and that she would be able to return to work in two to three months once she was stabilized with medication.  Three days later, in an annual congregational "shareholder" meeting, the school board expressed the opinion that it was unlikely that Perich would be physically capable of returning to work that school year or the next.  In this meeting, the congregation accepted a "peaceful release agreement" proposed by the school board - meaning that if Perich would agree to resign her call, the congregation would, in exchange, pay her medical insurance premiums through December 2005.

Perich obtained a release from her doctor in February 2005 stating that, stabilized with medication, she would be fully functional and able to work as of Feb 22, 2005 (and therefore no longer eligible for disability coverage).  That February, she met with the school board - they presented their peaceful release proposal and in turn, she presented her doctor's work release note.  The school board continued to ask Perich to resign, but she refused this and said she would report to teach on Feb. 22nd.

When she reported to teach on Feb. 22, the school did not have a job for her.  On this day, she refused to leave the premises until receiving a letter from the school stating that she had reported to work.  Once receiving the letter, she left the premises.  The school said that Perich's conduct on Feb. 22nd was "regrettable."

After much disagreement between Perich and the school that spring, the  congregation voted to rescind Perich's call on April 10, 2005.

Summary of legal matters:

In May 2005, Perich filled a charge of discrimination and retaliation with the EEOC against the school.  The EEOC filed a complaint against Hosanna-Tabor School in 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleging one count of retaliation in violation of the ADA.  In 2008, this district court granted summary judgement in favor of Hosanna-Tabor, dismissing Perich's claim because the school fell into the "ministerial exception" to the ADA.

The "ministerial exception" bars most employment-related lawsuits against religious organizations by employees who perform religious functions.  What is at debate here is whether this exception applies in this case - where a teacher performs both a full secular curriculum and teaches daily religious classes, including leading students in prayer and worship.

On appeal to the United States Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit, the federal appeals court ruled that the school was not protected from the ADA suit, despite First Amendment protection as a religious organization, because Perich's worked most of the time on secular duties.  (Click here to read the appeals court decision.)

As described in an ABA Journal news story, "Federal appeals courts are spilt on this issue. They agree that the establishment clause protects religious organizations from employment suits filed by pastors, priests and rabbis, the cert petition says. But the courts are evenly divided over whether this 'ministerial exception' also protects churches from suits filed by other employees."

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted the School's petition for writ for Certiorari to hear the case and granted various religious organizations leave to file amici curiae briefs. The court will hear the case later this year. (To read the petition for a writ of certiorari, click here)

The case is Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (*Important Note: I tried to give an overview of the facts here based on the Sixth Circuit Appeals Court Decision and the Petition for a writ of certiorari, but every detail of the case is NOT included. For more information on the case, check out the SCOTUS Blog and the ABA Journal News Article. I will post more articles as they come out - as this is breaking news!)


In closing, a few personal thoughts:

As a person with a J.D., this seems like a very fascinating case challenging the boundaries of the First Amendment establishment clause protecting religious organizations' freedom to choose their religious leaders.  I do not know where the boundaries lie or ought to lie within the context of a religious school in which a teacher has full-time secular duties but also holds important religious duties. I believe that smart awesome people may disagree on this matter for many different reasons.

It is important to remember that Perich's claim of retaliation under the ADA is not the question before the U.S. Supreme Court.  What is at question is whether a religious school can be held to the standards of the ADA under these circumstances. (If the U.S. Supreme Court finds that the school can be held accountable under the ADA, than a lower court will take on this case and decide on Perich's claim of retaliation based on the ADA.)

As a person with narcolepsy, I must admit that it is hard to separate my intellectual understanding of this as a First Amendment question from my emotional feelings of sympathy and frustration for Cheryl Perich's  situation.  Without commenting on the religious aspects of this case, I must say that my heart goes out to Cheryl Perich and her friends and family for all that she has been through. Being a part of any long-term legal suit like this can take a large emotional and physical toll on anyone.  I wish her my very best for health and happiness despite this legal matter.

Although the circumstances of Perich's case are unique in that she worked for a religious school - it is certainly not unique that a person with narcolepsy faces conflict with an employer upon disclosing their diagnosis and trying to work with their employer to find proper accommodations.

Narcolepsy, a neurological illness of the sleep/wake cycle, is grossly misunderstood in our society. Some people think that an individual will fall asleep while standing up. Other people think it's a joke (not even an illness).  Although I have given up my privacy to speak out about narcolepsy - many are unable to do this because of the extreme misunderstanding of narcolepsy in our society.

One final note on the general topic of narcolepsy and employment: it is important not to make judgements about a person with narcolepsy without knowing that person's individual circumstances. Narcolepsy affects people differently - not everyone experiences all of the possible symptoms nor experience these symptoms to the same degree.  In addition, the medications currently available for narcolepsy may help some people return to a very full-functioning life while others do not have such success with these treatments.  Some people with narcolepsy are unable to work full-time while others do so quite successfully.  This is not a one-size-fits-all diagnosis.  Like most things I suppose, it's best not to judge a book by the cover.

(*Important Note: I tried to give an overview of the facts here, but every detail of the case is NOT included. For more information on the case, check out the SCOTUS Blog and the ABA Journal News Article. I will post more articles as they come out - as this is breaking news!)

Articles:
Court to decide if teacher can sue church school by the Associated Press (on Bloomberg Businessweek website).

My Friend Has Narcolepsy - Guest Blog Post by Gail Pean

(Readers: For the first time, I've invited a Guest Blogger for REM Runner! The author of this post, Gail Pean, is a great writer, accomplished artist and close friend.  Since meeting in a writing class a year ago, Gail has been a pillar of support and understanding - her shoulder has served as a pillow for my weary head during many untimely naps.  I hope you will enjoy Gail's brave and eloquent insights into Sleep Walk 2011. -Julie)

Julie and Gail - Sleep Walk 2011

On Saturday, Julie reminded me to set my clocks ahead one hour. When I woke up on Sunday and checked my cellphone, I noticed the time.  Uh oh!  I thought I had changed the alarm and time. Already 9:30 AM, I dressed quickly in layers and drove along the George Washington Memorial Parkway marveling at the cloudless cerulean blue sky.

I had some trouble finding a parking spot, but eventually parked and arrived on foot at the bandstand by the Washington Monument, feeling guilty to be late.  I do not have Narcolepsy yet I overslept. Julie sat on the bandstand holding blue and silver balloons.  She wore the royal blue T-shirt she had designed for the Sleep Walk saying “Hello, I have Narcolepsy” in big letters. She sported sparkling star-shaped sunglasses and flashed me a great big smile as I approached.

After a big hug and kiss, Julie gave me the t-shirt she had designed for me saying, "My friend has Narcolepsy." I took off my jacket and proudly put the t-shirt on over my hooded zip-up velvet jacket. I was honored to have this special t-shirt. 

I met the rest of the group and we started our walk. We headed toward the Capitol building and were embraced by the St. Patrick’s Day parade bands and floats waiting to join the procession down Constitution Ave.  One of the bands played the theme song from the Rocky movie. We walked with strength and energy.  I took photos of our group and asked some kind tourists to take our group’s photo. They were happy to oblige but did not ask us about our walk or t-shirts.

Onward we walked toward the Capitol.  In front of the Museum of Natural History, we turned around to head back toward the Washington Monument again.

There was a group of teenagers waiting to cross the street with us.

One curious boy read one sleep-walker’s buttons, “Kiss me, I have…” He paused, “Narcolepsy?”

Yeah! I thought. Someone is noticing us.

I answered, “Yes, Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that makes you tired after 4 hours like you were awake 48 hours.”  

“Wow!” he responded, as he turned and walked away with his friends as the walk signal changed. Hearing myself say this, it hit me again why Julie is so exhausted sometimes.

Returning back at the bandstand, we opened our blue cellophane goody bags and played like little kids with a paddle balls, yo-yos, and my favorite – bubbles.

We took a few more pictures and parted ways with hugs. Julie went home to nap.  I walked back toward the National Gallery of Art to see the new Gauguin painting exhibit. I walked up the stairs of the West Wing with the tune of Rocky still in my head , I felt light and energetic. As I entered the museum my eyes adjusted to the seeming absence of bright sunlight except the dusty sun-rays. I was greeted by three guards at the bag examining table. I opened my bag to show the contents revealing my goodie bag with bubbles and candy.

The youngest guard looked at me seriously and said, “What is Narcolepsy?”

Gail blowing bubbles

“It is a sleep disorder of the brain that changes your sleep patterns. A person with Narcolepsy gets really tired after about 4 hours like they’ve been awake for 48 hours. There is no cure yet and they need to take naps and rest more than the average person. My friend Julie has Narcolepsy and we just had our first walk to raise awareness.”

“I didn’t know that,” he replied.

“Most people don’t which is why I am wearing this T-shirt. I am glad you asked me.”

“Thanks for explaining it to me.” he said. “I learned something new today. Please put your backpack on one shoulder not your back. Some people take paintings and hide them in their backpacks.”

“OK. My pleasure.” I said and asked directions to the Gauguin exhibit.

I walked towards the exhibit - going up and down stairways and continuing to walk with a bounce in my step.  I stopped in the ladies’ room before entering the Gauguin exhibit. There was a line and I stood patiently.

A grey haired woman wearing a lavender wool dress looked at my shirt and asked, ”Dear, what is Narcolepsy?”

I replied, “It is an auto immune disease in the brain that causes a sleeping disorder often misunderstood or undiagnosed. It causes perpetual sleepiness like you have not slept for 48 hours after only 4 hours. Some people also have cataplexy where they lose control of their muscles with emotions like laughing, loving, or sadness. They can hear what is going on around them but cannot move or control their body.”

“I am so sorry your friend has this,” she said with wide eyes and a sweet smile.

I thanked her for asking then entered the stall. I was getting really warm so I removed my new “My friend has Narcolepsy” shirt then the hooded jacket and left on my plain black t-shirt. I folded them neatly and forced them into my small backpack. I could put away the t-shirt just like the disorder could be hidden from the public.

I plan to wear  my Sleep Walk t-shirt when I go on walks as the weather gets nicer and hope to have many more conversations about narcolepsy.

I think of my friends with chronic illnesses and how motivated they are to raise awareness and provide support to others. I am truly inspired by them daily. They have enriched my life with their intelligence, friendship and talents. I hope in my lifetime together we can find a cure for Narcolepsy, MS and Breast Cancer. My dearest friends have been afflicted with these hardships but fight them daily with courage, laughter and determination to make it easier for those that are diagnosed daily. My world is enlightened and has more depth and meaning with their friendship. I cherish each day with them.

I look forward to walking with Julie and hundreds of other Sleep Walkers next year.

Sincerely,

Gail Pean 

Check out Gail's beautiful artwork and the Vanessa Pean Foundation.

Pondering the Elusiveness of Sleepiness at NSF's Sleep Health & Safety Conference

Last week, I attended the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Health & Safety Conference here in Washington, DC.  The conference featured a Public Health & Safety Track and a Health Care Professional Track.  Reviewing the lists of speakers - both sessions sounded fascinating, so I spent one day on each track.  Both mornings, keynote speakers gave exciting informative presentations. And if all this wasn't enough - there was a fabulous Annual Awards Dinner!

Over the course of the conference, I started to wonder about something I'd never thought much about  before - "Why is sleepiness so elusive?"   It seems that many people have a hard time identifying the feeling of sleepiness in themselves and determining when its "excessive."

I'm guilty person #1! I didn't recognize my own excessive sleepiness for many years.  As my narcolepsy developed, I misinterpreted my sleepiness as lack of willpower and concentration. When I kept falling asleep reading cases for law school, I thought I'd lost my passion and determination to succeed.  My family saw my sleepiness are poor manners, as I often fell asleep upon arriving at family gatherings.

It was only when I started having trouble driving 15 minutes in the morning after a full night's sleep that I realized my sleepiness as sleepiness.  Did it need to get this bad? Looking back, I'm ashamed of how out-of-touch I was to have missed so many earlier signs.  I used to think this lack of awareness was a "personal problem." I thought maybe I was just terrible at interpreting the subtle rhythms and needs of my body.

However, multiple speakers at the NSF conference raised lack of awareness of sleepiness as an issue facing sleep health and safety in our society.

In a presentation about diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (a group of sleep disorders affecting at least 5% of our population), one presenter pointed out that many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) do not present with "excessive daytime sleepiness" - although this is considered a main symptom of OSA.  Instead, people complain of fatigue, tiredness, and lack of energy and concentration. (I've also heard of cases in which anger and irritability were manifestations of sleepiness associated with OSA.)  Doctors must be savvy to interpret their patients' concerns and inquire about sleep habits and sleepiness - as many people with sleep disorders are NOT coming in reporting "I am excessively sleepy and think I have a sleep disorder."

In a fascinating presentation about the impact of sleep deprivation on distractibility - the speaker discussed various "signs" of sleepiness. She pointed out that the things we usually associate with sleepiness - such as droopy eyelids and head-nods (and I'd add, yawning) are not always good indicators of how sleepy we are. A person may have their eyes wide open and be sitting up with great posture, yet be very far mentally gone (the speaker had some great evidence supporting this).  This is especially concerning in the area of drowsy driving, because if one waits for typical indicators (heavy eyes or head-nods) before thinking "maybe I shouldn't be driving," it could be too late.  This presentation made me think - it would be better to recognize earlier more subtle signs of sleepiness.

But what are those earlier more subtle sensations of sleepiness?  What does sleepiness REALLY feel like? Since my narcolepsy diagnosis, I've slowly become in-touch with the sensations of sleepiness.  Also, as a writer describing my experience with narcolepsy in a memoir, I've forced myself to try and pinpoint the feelings.

For me - sleepiness begins as an aching in my neck and shoulders.  It's a subtle discomfort I used to associate with hunger, but now most of the time I know its impending sleepiness.  The first outward things I do to combat this are to reach my arm around to rub my shoulders and stretch my neck from side-to-side. Next I feel a subtle weight on my head and nausea in my body.

So I pose this question to you - what is your first sign of sleepiness? Can you identify what early warning signs you have that sleepiness is coming?  Perhaps if we could better describe what sleepiness feels like - we may help others identify the early signs of a sleep disorder or drowsy driving.

In closing, a few photos from the NSF Sleep Health & Safety Conference. I highly recommend this for anyone interested - next year's conference is scheduled for March 2-3, 2012 in Washington DC!

Packed Ballroom for the Public Health & Safety Track

REM Runner taking a break from the action

NSF Annual Awards Dinner

Also, a big thank you to Patricia Higgins, President of Narcolepsy Network for her energy and enthusiasm throughout the conference. It was so great to be able to talk ideas out and promote awareness of narcolepsy together!

A Flower A Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Today, I woke up from a late afternoon nap around 5pm.  My stomach clenched - I'd slept too long and "wasted" my day.  Yet, bright sunshine poured in through the windows.  With the recent time change - there were still two hours of daylight!

Determined to make something of myself - I changed into my running gear, grabbed my camera and drove to the national mall.  Stepping out of my car, I was caught off guard when I noticed budding flowers on a few nearby trees. Was spring really here? I took off on a leisurely walk/run/photograph expedition - exploring a few new paths along the Potomac River.

The warm sunlight and numerous flowers quickly lightened my mood.  Some days, I struggle to find full wakefulness and overall happiness, but today - surrounded by the exuberant waking spirit of spring, I was hopeful and energized.

This reminded me that strength can be found in many places.  Sometimes, I get tunnel-vision, looking to orange pill bottles for relief from my narcolepsy symptoms.  Yet, I must try to remember that I am a complex unpredictable being.  I need sleep, medicine, yoga AND sunshine.

Here are a few photographs from my adventure.  I'm looking forward to Washington DC's famous Cherry Blossom Festival coming soon!

Sleep-achusetts

Dear Massachusetts,
I love you but you're officially one of the sleepiest States in the country.  Please get some rest!!
Xoxo,
The REM Runner

Want to know how sleepy your State is? Check here!

(Data Source: CDC. Perceived Insufficient Rest or Sleep Among Adults --- United States, 2008. MMWR 58(42);1179-1179.)

Today, I represented Wake Up Narcolepsy at the National Sleep Awareness Roundtable in Washington, DC. At this meeting, I learned that Massachusetts needs some serious sleep (along with New Jersey and the entire southeast!).  In addition, I met many people passionate about increasing sleep awareness in America.  Needless to say, I felt right at home!

The National Sleep Awareness Roundtable (NSART) is a national coalition of government, professional, voluntary, and other organizations whose mission is:

- To raise awareness about;
- To increase the understanding of; and
- To reduce the public health and safety impact of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders by improving communications and collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies; professional organizations; and the public.

NSART is coordinated by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Membership organizations include prestigious physicians groups, influential government agencies and non-profit organizations (see membership list).

REM Runner at the NSART Meeting

It was truly an honor to be included in the discussion.  We brainstormed various ways to promote sleep awareness. Members were excited to hear about my SLEEP WALK 2011 and expressed interest in joining us next year!

Tomorrow kicks off the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Health and Safety 2011 Conference here in Washington DC. I'm excited to attend, and as always, I will report back on my blog.

In closing - Massachusetts, I have my sleepy eyes on you.  Go to bed, please!

SLEEP WALK 2011

I'll never forget today.  I've dreamed of a Sleep Walk for the past couple years.  Today - my dreams came true.  

Yesterday, I visited craft and party stores in preparation for SLEEP WALK 2011.  Although I love festive creative projects  - a knot clenched tighter and tighter in my stomach as the day went on.  What was I so afraid of?

What if no one shows up for the SLEEP WALK? 

My good friend Gail said she'd be there. I knew she would be....

What if it rains?

Weather report said 60 degrees and sunny....

What if someone laughs at my shirt?

It's an informational opportunity, Julie...

  

Unable to identify exactly what was worrying me, I tossed and turned all night - dreading the morning. Yes, I was dreading the event I had created and promoted. 

Stepping outside this morning into the warm sunlight - I felt energized and jittery.  Once on the national mall, my nerves calmed quickly as new and old friends joined me for the SLEEP WALK.

We started our walk in the direction of the Capitol building.  By the Smithsonian Museum, a long line of marching bands played music... Our personal soundtrack to keep us wide awake! We joked that the marching bands were there for the SLEEP WALK, but they were actually part of the St. Patricks Day Parade taking place nearby.   

I couldn't help but smile to myself many times along the walk. I was surrounded by supportive and positively-spirited sleep-walkers - gathered together to celebrate sleep and raise awareness for something that means a lot to me.  

Check out the YouTube video:

A special thank you to those who attended SLEEP WALK 2011.  For those who couldn't make it this time - we were thinking of you.  This was a memorable and empowering experience and I look forward to leading the way for SLEEP WALK 2012!

"Kiss Me, I Have Narcolepsy!"

In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week (March 7-13),  I've decided to do something out of my comfort zone.  I've decided to SLEEP WALK around the national mall, raising awareness of sleep disorders!

I love holidays - I've designed silly outfits for every holiday I could think of/create.  I've worn bunny ears on Easter, heart-shaped glasses on Valentine's Day and my favorite "KISS ME, I'M IRISH" hat for St. Patty's Day (even though I'm only 1/8th Irish... I think...).

People often tell me they've never met someone with narcolepsy. Yet, with 1 in every 2,000 Americans living with narcolepsy - everyone probably has met someone with narcolepsy, they just didn't know it.

See, we don't usually wear our narcolepsy on our sleeve.  As I described in an earlier post, I kept my narcolepsy private for the first couple years. Although I've spoken up a lot more recently, it's always within a certain "appropriate context."  I've never put my narcolepsy first; I've never walked up to a stranger and said, "Hello, I'm Julie and I have narcolepsy. Want to know more?"

All this is about to change...

Next Sunday, March 13th, 2011 at 11:00 am, I will walk around the national mall carrying a pillow and wearing this t-shirt - introducing myself to as many people as possible along the way.

I think a sign reading "KISS ME, I HAVE NARCOLEPSY!" may be a good ice-breaker too - it always worked on St. Patty's Day.  (Sorry, Ben - kisses on the cheek only, I promise!)

Why would I do something this crazy? Because I believe that if I want the conversation about narcolepsy to go my way - I'm going to have to start the conversation.

There are some misconceptions about narcolepsy in our society. Narcolepsy is often portrayed as a joke about someone falling asleep while standing up or speaking.  Narcolepsy is a much more complex disorder (with symptoms including excessive sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis).  While the inaccurate stereotype continues to spread, the actual symptoms remain unknown to the general public. This delays diagnosis and subjects people with narcolepsy to ridicule.

Instead of reacting to the voices of others, I've decided its time to speak first - and not out of anger or resentment, but from a place of joy and pride.  I vow to be open and playful - we can all laugh together! People can laugh at me for falling asleep in strange places and I can laugh at them for not knowing the basics of the sleep cycle or what narcolepsy and cataplexy are.

I invite anyone interested to join me for SLEEP WALK 2011 to raise awareness about sleep disorders - March 13th at 11am on the national mall in Washington DC. You don't have to have a sleep disorder or wear any special t-shirt, just come to walk and talk with us - it will be energizing. (Email me at julieflygare@gmail.com for details.)

Can't make it to DC? Go SLEEP WALKING in your own community and tell me about it.  I'll share stories and pictures on my blog.

Happy Sleep Week, everyone.  Indulge yourself, go to bed early tonight - it's a Holiday!

Rain Showers Bring Energizing Powers

Rain makes me drowsy.  On rainy days, all I want to do is curl up with a book and fall asleep.  So when yesterday's weather report called for torrential downpours, hail, high winds and lightening - I thought, "Hurray, I don't have to go running."   Rainstorms aren't for runners, or are they?

I went about the day, huddled under my umbrella and scurrying from building to building.  I winced when a few drops hit my face.  I raced around - practically panicked and holding my breath - to get out of the rain.  Unconsciously, precipitation was the enemy.

Yet, as Washington DC's tempest droned on yesterday, a strange urge grew in me - an urge to run.  But how?  I don't belong to a gym right now.  I thought about joining one, just to avoid the rain, but the treadmill wasn't appealing.  The only other option was outdoors.

Arriving home around 5pm, it was still raining hard (although the hail and t-storms had passed).  If I was going to satisfy my craving, I had to go quickly.  What little "daylight" was left under the thick grey clouds was slipping away.

Running along my street sidewalk, I squinted as a side-wind blew rain directly in my eyes.  Two blocks from home, a car hit a puddle, spraying muddy water against my ankles.  I cringed.  Wearing just a t-shirt and shorts, I felt naked - exposed and vulnerable to the elements.  I'd even left my iPod at home - afraid the wet conditions might ruin it.

Thankfully, I soon turned onto a local running path.  As the noisy rush-hour traffic faded, the more subtle sounds of nature filled the air.  The rain pattered softly like a constant calm heart-beat.  A nearby stream roared loudly, overcapacity because of the storm. Waves of frothing bubbles tumbled downstream with exuberant energy.

The forest landscape was a mixture of dark trees and dead grass and shrubs.  Yet, I couldn't help but smile when I spotted some bright highlighter-green grass rising between the matted hay - the first sign of spring.    

Fresh natural aromas caught me off-guard - scents of evergreen and pine trees, the smokey flavor of a near-by burning fireplace, and the raw clean smell of rain.  No laundry detergent or soap could even come close to this.  I closed my eyes, tilted my head back and breathed deeply, surrendering myself to the undeniable beauty of my surroundings.

Towards the end of my run, I approached a steep hill.  My quads ached just looking at it.  My t-shirt - completely soaked - weighed heavily on my shoulders.  Over the past few months, I've been struggling up this hill - usually stopping halfway to walk.  Yet, much to my own surprise, I gracefully ascended the incline in the rain yesterday.  I ran the whole way - a major personal feat!

In a recent post, I wrote about my difficulties getting back in shape this winter.  Although I'm certainly not in marathon shape now, I am slowly regaining my sense of strength and athleticism. And yesterday, I discovered joy and energy when I least expected it, running in the rain.