CONQUERING CRESTWOOD - Part II

... But I don't. And then I reach the top, cars swooshing pass on the highway. Holy smokes... I did it! It wasn't pretty and it wasn't fast. I turn south and push into the headwind with long- strong strides. I try to control the small grin on my face as I continue down the highway against rush hour traffic. I wonder if the drivers think I'm crazy for taking my precious cargo on this busy road. I wonder the same thing. I gaze ahead and see an approaching cyclist. Before our eyes even meet I feel him looking at me, smiling at Layla and then at me. It wasn't the typical "avoid eye contact with the fat girl so she doesn't think you like her" scenario. Instead, I felt a brief moment of acceptance and worth. His smile and simple nod felt as though he was saying to Layla, "Wow you are one lucky baby, you have a great mom who is out here doing something hard." I felt accepted. We finally cross the highway and head down the steep road home. I take a break from staring at the road in front of me, I look up at the setting sun on the Great Salt Lake. And there it is.... I found it. A feeling that women spend a lifetime trying to create. I felt Beautiful. I couldn't shake the enormous smile that overwhelmed my face, I couldn't hide the goosebumps across my entire body, and my eyes couldn't hold back the swelling of salty wetness that began to fill them. Beautiful was the blatant contrast of how I looked, but it was the genuine glow from within that consumed my soul and I couldn't contain it. I cried for four blocks. I did it. I conquered Crestwood and much more. I know the feeling of inner beauty if fleeting but as long as my legs will carry me, I will won't stop running. It feels too good.