Sue and I trained at the Vaughn Center this morning. Her workout was rotating set of 2 X 200s and 1 X 400 times three circuits with 30 seconds rest. she rocked it. After the initial 200s, the first 400 was run at 7:20 pace. The rest of the workout went so strong that I turned to her and said, “This is fascinating running with you.”

It’s exciting to share in the joy of anyone’s progress at times like these. It’s those moments when you can truly sense progress or feel it yourself that are such a joy. While there’s always the ‘next workout’ to consider, there is nothing wrong with celebrating “in the moment” with a slap of hands and even a pat on the butt. She’s my wife after all.

During our workout the Fox Valley Park District staff was hauling bag after bag of inflated balloons into the field house. They stacked them in a big pile next to a plastic net they’d fill with the balloons and lift above the gym floor. It’s time for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration party! Sue and I could not resist walking over to take a selfie with such a huge pile of balloons.

During our workout I’d looked up during one of our rest intervals and noticed a woman walking with a partner on the upper track. I waved to her and called out, “I like the red flower in your hair!” She called back, “I wear one every day!”

As Sue and I stood after our workout chatting with Fox Valley Park District staff about our balloon selfie, we heard a voice behind saying, “I have to tell you about the flowers.”

We turned around to find the woman I’d waved to smiling at us. She pointed to the red flower in her hair and said, “I was one of thirteen siblings. Our mother used to send us all out of the house to work in the flowers before we went to school. We all hated flowers then. But we learned to love them, and that’s why I wear a flower in my hair every day.”

Then she really started to beam as she continued: “My husband and I are so excited. Our son is moving back to this area after eight years in the Navy. Then he went to work for Homeland Security. Now he’s finally moving back home. But he’s driving back on Route 66,” she laughed, and gave a little dance shimmy. “Get your kicks… on Route 66!” she sang.

It was such a nice way to wrap up the morning session. Just a feel good sensation all around. For all the world’s troubles it really comes down to simple things like these that make us happy. A big pile of balloons. A warm smile… and an even warmer tale. All in the midst of a winter cold spell that can make you want to stay inside and hide.

But think about all you’d be missing if you never went out into the world! The fun running on the track. The big piles of balloons. The tales of family life and how much it means to love someone and be loved in return.

That’s what jubilation is all about. Go for it.