Last week I had a work meeting at a site away from my usual office.  The morning colors of the fall day were distracting.  It was so bright, so clear, the sunshine setting everything on fire.  Leaves, trees, and bushels seemed to be on fire from the inside out.

I made it to my meeting and afterward, although I had much work to do, decided to linger the grounds.  There was no one around except a caretaker trimming a bush.  I saw four deer ambling about in the woods.  My knee high boots had a wooden heel and clomped loudly on the paved areas.  Although I would never consider myself a fashion expert, I do have some common sense for attire.  That day, I donned my tan zip up boots with a loose cream vintage looking dress with a blue floral print.  Over the dress, I worked in a short navy blazer so the slightly casual dress was sharpened with a modern cut jacket.

I looked around to make sure no one saw me.  In my car that day I had packed my gym bag with a plan to attack the gym after work.  I grabbed my New Balance sneakers and slipped off my boots, and slid my feet into the comfortable flat shoes that had conformed to my feet.

I ran.

In my dress, I ran like the wind down a path and into a kingdom of autumn. I passed majestic trees, swishing wind by my ears, and filtered the golden sun on my skin.

I had never been to this place.  I had never worn sneakers with a dress.  I couldn’t believe that I went running through an unfamiliar path dressed as I did.  Whatever compelled me to race the wind was too strong in me.  I had to burst open into a run to spend the energy and endorphins that delivered a joy I couldn’t measure or explain.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt that way.  So I took a picture to remember this particular morning, a slice of perfection to last me until I forget what it feels like to sprint in a flower dress.