Appreciate a Teacher and Race with a TRUE Fast Chick

Did you know this week is Teacher Appreciation week? Aren't I appreciated every day? Apparently not, it happens for one week, wow-wee! UNTIL I get emails and FB messages from former parents and students. So here are a couple of excerpts, because I believe I have bragging rights after 22 yrs!!

"Thank you Ms. Weiner for being the best second grade teacher and my teacher for my life. I'm out of college and I still think about how you used to read to us after lunch, and you would make me laugh and I learned to love books because of you."

"Ms W., I don't know any other teacher who would run with us, eat lunch with us, and play kickball......it was fun doing math using your bib numbers and seeing you wear overalls to school!"

"Jill, do you realize how much you influenced my children? Do you know how special you are and that to this day, we remember you?"

"Ms. W. YOU were one tough teacher but a marshmallow inside, are you married?"

"Jill, Brendon is graduating college, and I still can't believe how fast time has gone by, and we will never forget how much the kids loved you and the fact that a whole class of children could leave school crying the last day of school." (A shortened version from an original thank you letter).

Now let's get down to business. It was a weekend of philanthropy and racing.
Thank you to my buddy TC (Navy vet, btw) for taking pics! I do love my sunglasses.....la-dee-dah!

Fast Chicks 5K, Hamilton, MA.  Time: 27:04   Overall 67/257   5/25 (Age Division 50-59)
A wonderful, small local race of all women coming together for the good of the children in the community. I was so happy to see Phyllis (last time I saw her she ran by me after mi 26 at the marathon (3:40...she's fast at 48 yrs old!) and Malenda. I taught at their school my first year in Lynn, and we had a lot of fun. Tony's Pub Xmas party...oy vey!

We bought cool bracelets with little chicks on them and got roses.

                          Of course, I'm up to my usual silly, goofy self, just trying to have fun. I'm not a red rose person, actually I prefer tulips or sunflowers. I can't remember the last time I got flowers anyway so this was a nice added touch.

 Phyll and I trying to decide bracelet or another tee.....hmm.....of course I had to snag a variety of Nature Valley bars (but I put a few back).

To "wrap" this up, let me say, I'm so happy to have these gals around me and my BRF Nancy, and my family and my guy friends, who were horrified that their silly pal was almost lost.

Everyday I struggle a little but rise to the occasion. THE Mighty Boston is coming back together, and soon, I will walk down Boylston St.  Maybe....just maybe, I'll need a hand to hold if I can't do it alone. I may be alone, but I'm not alone and I'm on my way...3 weeks later;(

Next race......Boston's Run to Remember May 26....SOLD OUT!!  This was once called The Law Enforcement (Memorial) Half, and it was my very first half marathon in March of 1999....Melrose, MA (until the citizens complained about the running of this race on a Sunday).