I woke up today, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and got dressed to work out.  One of the bennies we enjoy from my husband’s job is 24 access to the hospital gym.  This is one of the most gorgeously situated gyms you’ve ever seen.  We live surrounded by the Blue Mountains.  The hospital gym is perched on the west side of the valley with a wall of windows facing east. 

This morning the mountains were backlit by the sun.  An antenna on the top of the mountains 15 miles away glistened in the sunlight.  I smiled, remembering one of my favorite movie moments, Pippin initiating the lighting of the beacons of Gondor in Return of the King.  When we were watching at the theatre, my husband leaned over and whispered in my ear, “That’s a picture of the gospel.”  Goosebumps ran up my arms.  Mr. Sun peeked over the edge, then came head on in the pale blue sky, bathing my face in light.  I closed my eyes and soaked it in, glorying in the bright light.

My son and I were side by side on the two eliptical machines.  We had settled into a comfortable silence.  I had a book, but it did not interest me today. Two regulars arrived, gentle men who are old enough to be my father.  We always exchange hellos and friendly jibes. It’s especially fun to listen to their kibitzing together. Sweat trickled down our faces and it felt good. Showers and breakfast have revived us. We’re ready to read the Christian Almanac, sing a Psalm, attack Algebra and discuss the Odyssey.

La vita e bella!