Still Walking

26 years ago when our youngest daughter headed off to Kindergarten, two other mothers and I decided that we would walk our children to school and then meet and continue on for a daily walk. Eventually one of them went back to work fultime and could no longer meet us every morning, but the other gal and I continued. When I headed back to work we had to reduce the number of times we walked to 3/week but that was still enough to see us through all of our children growing up, getting married and now having children of their own. Needless to say, it's no wonder we often get asked if we are still walking!

The answer? Most definitely!! It's easy on the days that we are both available and I know when I get up in the morning that Anneliese is waiting for me.

But what about on days like the last couple of weeks when she was away and I am on my own? Well I am still walking!! You see I walk because I have to! People often comment on the fact that after so many years we are still walking but the reality is that because of my issues with chronic pain and what could be debilitating arthritis, I know that I have to keep walking.

I remember hearing Joni Earickson Tada speaking about how she sings because she has to! Because it is the only way to focus in the midst of the pain and the challenges that she faces every day as a quadriplegic.

In a similar way I too walk because I have to, because if I don't keep moving I soon won't be able to move at all. And so, it is a choice I make every day. Will I walk today even though I have to walk alone?

It's a beautiful day outside so I am off!(and yes, I did wear capris but only because I get really hot when I walk, and not because it is that warm! :-)