The Walk

The day after Thanksgiving was a crisp sunny day, so while Doug put up outdoor Christmas lights and the girls were unloading the overly packed dishwasher, I put on my hooded sweatshirt and sleeveless down jacket, gloves and walking shoes and headed out to walk over 4 miles to and from the post office. I've done this in the past before I was sick, and have inevitably called to be picked up on my way back.

I started out down into town with a lively step, pockets stuffed with tissue, chap stick, a water bottle, keys, phone and ipod. I was set. About a mile into it I stopped into our medical building to use the restroom, then off again. Getting a little warm, took off my gloves and shoved them in another pocket. I wound through the older neighborhoods of town, across the railroad tracks, past the antique store and the police station, then the last stretch to the post office. Everyone else going in from their cars, unaware of the feat I feel I've accomplished. I called home, Andi answered giggling expecting me to be calling for a ride. I said, "no I'm fine, I just wanted to call to say I got all the way here, and got no mail." We made a pact that she'd meet me at the church a mile from our home if need be.

The sun was now beating against my back on the way home, but I couldn't take my jacket off because of everything strategically placed in my pockets. Further down the street past the antique barn again, the fire station and boutiques, I popped into the coffee shop for another potty break, it was loud with people laughing and talking, and the smell of coffee was strong. This was usually the time I would call home for a ride, but not this time. Off again, I turned right and started the gentle uphill walk across the railroad tracks, up to the stop light where I crossed over where walk uphill was even more steep. I was hot and sweaty when some friends drove up and offered me a ride home. "Thanks, but I'm really determined to make it." I made it past the medical building walking step by step, breathing heavily, looking ahead to the light where that church is, setting my sites on it. Once I got there I stopped, smiled, and continued on past barking dogs on the other side of a fence, then across the boulevard cutting through the open space between homes, back into our neighborhood, still uphill, huffing and puffing. Another friend pulled over saying she was impressed when she saw me trudging up the hill as she had gone into town earlier. A little more chit chat then I rounded the corner onto our street, walking one foot in front of the other, smiling knowing I made it. It took an hour and a half. Doug was just climbing back into the upstairs window finishing up the lights. Our dog, Logan, ran out to greet me. Doug and the girls congratulated me. After I caught my breath, the first thing was a shower, the second was a plate with an encore of dinner the day before, just smaller portions.

It's a couple days later, and I'm feeling it in my bones but am proud of what I did, and am kinda anxious to do it again, next time with one less jacket.