Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is freedom….. I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Freedom – the quality or state of being free;
the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
~ Merriam-Webster
I thank the good Lord every day that freedom is all that I know, and strive to honor those in the military today and long before I came into the word for everything they have done to assure my freedom. As we approach Memorial Day, now is the time to reflect on freedom and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we might live freely in this beautiful country.
I was reminded of our freedom when I saw a bald eagle in my back yard a couple of months ago. I saw him first, twice the size of the broad chested hawks I’m used to, soaring through the brilliant blue sky. His bright white head and tail, a beautiful contrast to his dark brown body. I stood mesmerized by my kitchen window as I watched him glide effortlessly putting on a little show just for me.
The following morning, Bill and I watched as our new eagle friend perched on a tree branch right outside our office window and ate a fish he’d just caught in the creek behind our house. We hoped he would stay and nest in one of our huge oak trees, but we haven’t seen him since those two days.
Around the time that our bald eagle visited, two baby eaglets made national news when they made their grand appearance hatching on the live eagle cam at the National Arboretum, mesmerizing the nation. Those two famous fledglings were named Freedom and Liberty, thanks to a nationwide “Name the Nestlings” social media campaign. Should our bald eagle return, I think I’ll call him Freedom.
Whether Freedom returns to pay me a visit or not, I’ll be reminded of him when I go out for a run and spread my wings and fly. Nothing feels like freedom more than running – not on a training run where I’m working hard to hit my paces, but on that first run after a big race, that first run after the end of a training cycle. I’m taking this week off after running in the Chicago Spring Half Marathon on Sunday; but next week, next week I’ll experience freedom when I run without a care in the world!
When do you experience freedom?
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Next Wednesday’s Word: Empower
How very cool to see eagles in your backyard! And you are so right — my first runs after my race felt glorious.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Freedom is never given . . . it is won (Philip Randolph)
That first run will come on Tuesday after nine days rest. It should be glorious!
How awesone! I have never seen a live bald eagle although my kids would tell you we see one everryday ( as they point to a crow)
I totally missed the live birth too.
I hope you see Freedom again 😉
I keep hoping that Freedom will pay us another visit… It’s so cute that your kids call crows bald eagles. Two weeks ago a crow was sitting on our bluebird house and just beyond the crows head, in perfect alignment, was a white styrofoam cup that had washed up onto the bank of the creek. Anyway, at a glance I thought it was the bald eagle and my heart skipped a beat!
How cook to see a bald eagle in your backyard….you are so lucky!!
Lauren recently posted…Running Brings Freedom
I know! I just wish I’d had my camera.
When I’m running on the road I experience freedom. Thanks for hosting!
Sonia recently posted…Give Me Liberty
You’re welcome, and I’m glad you’re a part of the linkup!
I was running around Burke Lake in the winter one time and noticed a whole pack of people on the trail, stopped and looking at the lake. There was the resident Bald Eagle, hanging out by a broken spot in the ice. Everyone was so excited, they would stop and tell runners and walkers as we went by so everyone got a chance to see the big bird. Not only beautiful, but a fantastic community moment. And yep, you feel a bit more patriotic at that stirring sight, even if he’s just hanging out and fishing!
Anne recently posted…Wednesday Word: Freedom
That’s a great story. Thanks for sharing!
I feel the most free when I am running! I have so many pressures in my life, and I’m juggling so many balls in the air. Running is the one time where I get to be by myself.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Running Free
It’s great to have that release from the stresses of life with our running. We are lucky we have that, and it’s too bad that more people can’t realize that freedom!
Love it! It’s incredible that something so close to home can you bring your that heady feeling of being free. <3
Jenn recently posted…wednesday word: freedom
Thanks, Jenn!
Bald eagles are so incredible to see! They definitely knew what they were doing back in the 1700’s when they selected the eagle as one of our national symbols. Running definitely gives me a feeling of being free, especially those runs that follow a big race/training cycle- as you pointed out. I have also found that I feel most free when trail running because I feel like I get to disconnect from the world and just enjoy nature.
Meagan recently posted…Running Lately – A New Focus
That’s an excellent point – I definitely feel most free running on trails or the country roads near my mom’s house.