More than a Walk

I honestly don't remember the last time we walked.  I got sick the week before Christmas.  It was
" the virus " everyone had at school, work and in the neighborhood.  I took pride in the fact that everyone had " it " but me and they were getting better.  Now that I think of it, we did have our last walk on Sunday, December 14, 2014.  I remember this because my Granddaughter was out of school the whole week before and returned to school that Monday, the same Monday I triumphantly declared to her teacher " everyone was sick except me. "  I left the school that day and realized that my throat was beginning to get sore.  I went home and preformed my sacred ritual of splashing hydrogen peroxide on my face.  This practice was the sure-fire way to kill any "bug" trying to attack.  Not to mention, this next two weeks were going to be a doozie.

The daughter tried to comfort me as I gradually felt worse.  She reassured me that it was ok and we'd walk when I get better.  Periodically, I would notice her sneak off and do a workout to maintain her fitness while I was laid up with all manner of cold symptoms and a cough that did not let up until last week.

To make matters worse, I got called for Jury Duty the last week of December.  I didn't worry too much because I was convinced that my JD would be cancelled or rescheduled due to the upcoming holiday.
I was 0 for 2, not only did I get sick, I also had to go to Jury Duty.  I tried to make a deal with God not to allow me to be picked for service but that was not the case.  I can not mention all that took place the last three weeks but  I am recanting some of the events leading up to today because it was truly a miracle to be on the walking path.

"Daughter" was up early this morning and was preparing to take her own walk.  I had been thinking how lovely it would be to join her this fine morning and why not, it was the first day of this new year.

While we got into the car and backed down the driveway, I got a twinge of excitement in my being.  I was hoping that I had not lost too much of the fitness level we had achieved the weeks before my illness.
It was a beautiful partly cloudy day.  New Years Eve had been very active the night before with piles of red fire-cracker paper on the driveways of many homes lining the way to our destination.  Down a long hill, past the neighborhood church, left at the light, over the bridge and another left turn brought us to one of the best-kept secrets in our quiet community.  Our walking path has a 360 degree view of the mountains and the sea.

There were only two people at our park today.  No doubt, the usuals, were sleeping in because of the late-night celebrations that commenced the night before, after all, it's a holiday.  I was doing a quick stretch and looked around to make sure there were no poor unsuspecting souls, who would catch a glimpse of me stretching my quads and warming my calves.  I like to protect myself and others from such displays that might create an awkward moment on the walking path as we greet one another on our initial go around.  As I gazed down the length of the field, I saw what looked like a man lying down on the grass.  Daughter and I checked our time and headed in the direction of the man while discussing possibilities for the coming year.  Ideas were flowing, the pace picked up and the man-on-the-grass came into clearer view.  As we approached I wondered why the man was laying on a mat in this particular spot.  He didn't look homeless.  He seemed well manicured with long beige cargo pants of a light colored shirt.  As we got closer, we saw a woman lying on the mat next to him.  I wondered if they were tourists who spent a romantic night in a dark park, under the almost half moon, in Hawaii, on New Year's Eve. They didn't seem phased by our presence as we past by their position.  We tried not to make eye-contact, all the while continuing to consider blogging about our goals for 2015 and what challenges we would face to implement our next endeavor.  We crossed paths with several Dogs with their pets and greeted them joyfully which is our custom. Before we knew it, we approached an hour of walking and decided to start blogging our fitness escapades and any significant happenings arising from our experiences.  Daughter was very encouraging as she assured me that we were doing something important by documenting our year of fitness.  I know that she has every confidence in this process.

When we approached our car, we took a long look at paradise.  The place where thoughts can become actions, sweat can turn into progress, strangers  become friends and shared ideas can build our future.

Paradise:  A religious or metaphysical term for a place in which existence is positive, harmonious and eternal.

Progress: 1 hour walk, new goals and affirmations, blogging project.