Saturday, March 17, 2007

The Sound

In one of those forward emails recently, it was some kind of survey where you'd answer a set of questions and send it back to your friends. Somehow they might know more about you, like what your favorite kind of bread is and your favorite movie line (12 grain and any line from Say Anything, FYI). One of the questions, though, went a little deeper: What is your favorite sound?

Knee-jerk reaction might be to say waves lapping on the shore, the sound of children playing or maybe the voice of someone very special. I thought about this today, as I sit in a comfortable place, with a view of the ocean outside and a view of a group of friends inside, a break from reality and a little relaxation and I think really, my favorite sound might just be life. No one part but rather all the things that make up the whole. A ceiling fan turning, a song on the radio, the joke of a friend, the snoring of another, all happening at once and all reminding me that these are just moments that will never come again. Today, this moment, is merely fleeting. But the memory, the sound of life, it's with me.

So tomorrow morning, when we head out for marathons and half marathons, I'll hope to remember that. I'll hope the sound of the footsteps on pavement, breath in the air and music flowing between each runner will be what I get out of the race. I have to remember it's not about me this time, it's not about my legs or my heart rate or my pace, it's just about listening to life and remembering that we're in it, not rehearsing it.

13 comments:

anne said...

Good luck with the run and enjoy those special sounds.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Your post took me away to a more peaceful place. Keep enjoying the sound of life and have a wonderful run.

justacoolcat said...

I thought for sure you were going to name a Weird Al song.

My knee jerk reaction would be the ocean too.

Anonymous said...

Hope everything went well today and you heard the sound of life!

Joe said...

Tough to save what my favorite is. Perhaps my 6 year old giggling?

adam said...

Thanks for the reminder.

Anonymous said...

My favorite sound by far is birds chirping. By far.

Backofpack said...

I'll be thinking about it now. The sounds of life...I love to hear a baby making those first soft sounds, then later using that little voice to "talk" to you, and a child laughing, or my husband laughing, my son singing...maybe it is just the sounds of life.

Bre said...

Delightful post!! Personally, I love to hear people laughing, the click of my heels on the sidewalk, and the sound of gorgeous men professing their undying love to me.

Ginger Breadman said...

what great thoughts . . . 'hope you're having fun on the beach, and had a great run on the course!

runliarun said...

This was so poetic, and eloquent, and meaningful!

afuntanilla said...

great! looking forward to the race report.

skinnylittleblonde said...

Thoughtful post! I hope you get to hear the sound of your own heartbeat, the pelting on the pavement, occassional bird & the rumble of the run!