Christmas Party

On Sunday afternoon, most of the local members of the Highlands Roadrunners Club braved a cold but very welcome rain and met for the Annual Meeting and a drop-in party at Mountain Fresh.  The side porch has a gas fireplace, and aside from the cumbersome picnic tables, it was a cozy place, the rain escalating from time to time to a downpour, then tapering off.  It was a time for seeing old friends who are not running at the moment, make new acquaintances, share memories and stories and plans for the future.  What a gift we share!  I counted 27 in attendance, including little Klara Wilmarth, nestled the whole time in a warm sweater at the chest of her father, Kevin, this future runner looking around with 8-week-old eyes at the commotion all around her.  We run for at least 27 different reasons, and many of  us spoke about what running means to us, and what Skip Taylor means to us.

In my newsletter I will write this:  "The guests of honor were Skip Taylor and MaryAnn Sloan, who will be moving to Tryon next January.  Skip was a Founding Member (AKA “Foundering Member”) of the Club and the Secretary for 20 years; he served in many capacities, helping with races, serving as Race Director himself, organizing the annual parties for the past two years, and raising funds for Scholarships and for the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park.  He has been a steadfast friend and companion to many of us and we have enjoyed countless good miles out on the road with him over the years.  Both he and MaryAnn will be greatly missed by the Club, the Community, and First Presbyterian Church."

But that only touches the surface of our friendship, for we have shared many confidences during those long, deep, wonderful conversations out on the road, as the beauty of the world slides by and the road climbs and turns and meanders its way in deep shade and dappled sunlight, where ideas form and take shape.  There is little that compares to a genuine Running  Buddy!  I hope we will continue to meet from time to time and run some miles together.