Walking for Fifty-Plus Years
Credit: Emma Simpson at unsplash.com
I went out for a walk the other day and a fairly new neighbor in our community stopped to say hello. He referred to me as the ‘walking lady.’
“Do you walk every day?” he asked. “I see you out here so often.”
“Yes,” I said, “except when it’s raining or so windy I can’t keep my hat on. Then I walk in my house or at the gym on the treadmill.”
“Good for you.” He smiled, then nodded sheepishly.
I detected a bit of embarrassment on his face–or was it guilt?
He breathed a loud sigh. “I try to walk but I don’t know, it seems boring so I keep putting it off.”
I chuckled. His comment reminded me of my late husband Charles, who had the same attitude. “Walking is boring. There’s no goal. I like to do something that has an objective–like planting roses or pulling weeds or sprucing up the garage.”
Talk about boring! He and I clashed when it came to the definition of that word. He did walk with me sometimes–once around the block–and I helped in the yard and garage–sometimes.
Walking or hiking, however, is what gives me strength and peace of mind and time to think and pray and consider and decide. I can’t imagine my life without walking. I’m so grateful to have the health to do it. I started more than 50 years ago–when my kids were tykes and I haven’t stopped.
I read about a woman who wanted to lose ten pounds but hated diets so she started walking, determined to take off the weight that way. Sure enough at the end of one year she had lost 10 pounds without changing any other behavior and she kept it off by continuing to walk each day. Nothing boring about that.
A gal in a gym class I attend was able to get off five of her twelve medications by walking and lifting weights. Nothing boring about that.
A friend introduced me to what she called ‘prayer walks.’ During her daily walks she prayed for neighbors, friends, family members, students and teachers at her local school and business owners around town. Nothing boring about that.
Walking and talking with a friend is another great way to put one foot in front of another. Nothing boring about that.
SO–walking in my opinion and experience is what you make of it. What’s good for the body is good for the mind and spirit. I’m a walker–for life.
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown,
for going out, I found, was really going in.”
John Muir (my hero)
So great, Karen. I love the John Muir quote at the end too. I had to giggle that Charles thought walking was boring. I can’t get Dick to walk the dogs with me. Boring. It is just about the most uplifting thing I do each day. It is my prayer time and silent time with dogs and God. There is a saying in golf when your game goes downhill…”now, it’s just a walk in the park” ha ha, not about the score or game, but the beauty surrounding us! Love that you have been committed to this ritual for life!
Thanks, Heidi. I’m glad to know you and your dogs are committed walkers too! 🙂
My hero too! I even went to a John Muir Elementary School. 😊
I love walking and praying too , but can’t do as much as I used to . Love every thing you write!!!
What fun it is to hear that the elementary school you attended was named after our mutual hero, John Muir.
Karen, I wrote my comment and but last week I put an incorrect email ( put ,com insetead of ,net) but it was sent. Tonight I put the correct email and it would not go so I am sending this with the correct address so you will receive it. Can you ‘fix it’ so I can use my correct email address which is margmayhew@comcast.net
Thanks, Margaret. Since the comment from you that I’m reading now has posted then you should be all set for future comments.
Amen Karen. I am with you and John Muir!! Off to walk the Isle of Skye in Scotland very soon. Will certainly think of you and send you many loving thoughts. Will share photos and stories when I return. An incredible and beautiful way to commune with God and nature and feel free of all ties. Much LOVE always ❤️.
Have a trip of a lifetime with Anne in Scotland. I’m so excited for you both.
laugh!! Since this one did make it back I will re write my comment! computers??
I always loved to walk and did a lot of it when I lived in Frankfort. After my divorce I lived across the street from a lady named ‘Margaret’ and we walked around the long block each day. After I got a job that she would watch for me to get home and I barely had time to get in the house before she would call and say in her cheerful voice: “ready to go for a walk?” of course I was so tired I could hardly stand up but did not have the nerve to say no, so as soon as I changed clothes off we would go. The subdivision was two long streets in a circle. Our street was a very long one going uphill and the one back was down hill so it took a lot of breath! It was a mile and a tenth around the area. I timed myself one day and it took me 11 minutes to walk it and I don’t know if that was good or not so good! I always felt better after the walk and more like cooking my dinner and doing other household chores. Now that I have this balance condition I cannot walk even one step without holding on to my walker with BOTH hands or I would fall. I do fine in the house but cannot walk outside so when I have to go somewhere we have a light weight wheelchair and my daughter and/or son-in-law push me! It is great – light weight and easy to put in the car. I am so VERY blessed that I have no pain with this condition so I have NO complaints, just THANKS!
It has been so long since I walked outside I cannot even imagine what it would be like but I KNOW it was wonderful and I am thankful for those years.
Keep on walking, Karin! Love and blessings to you, margaret
Margaret, you always have a cheerful message to share with us. Thank you. It’s wonderful to hear that you had so many many happy years of walking when you were able. I understand. I am no longer doing any difficult hiking–just can’t anymore but I can still walk so I’ll keep on as long as I’m able. Thanks for inspiring me.
Karen, that is beautiful. That’s neat you have been faithful at walking all these years. Thanks so much for your sharing. Virla
Thank you for your lovely encouragement, Virla.
Walking has always been my favorite activity. Walked many a mile at Mission Bay. Now there is a lovely park where I I walk with little Lucy.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Joan. I’m happy to hear you are a walker too. And no doubt, little Lucy loves that you are. 🙂