Sunday Afternoon Walk
Walking a new path I pushed upward cursing these extra pounds and wishing these lungs would fully expand. Oh the thorn in my flesh as my heart thumps faster in my chest. I looked at the freshly cut lawns, well-tended by men and women accustomed to lives busy with no seconds to stop and smell the roses. Keeping busy outside as we all struggle to find our breath as the world has come to a seemly never-ending halt.
Making my way up the hill my legs took me down new roads as the southern sun showed no mercy on the shade empty path. I watched as few cars drove by, providing relief in the form of wind. I stop to allow a painters van to turn and waved hello, like the world was normal.
As I came toward the end of my journey acutely aware of the slow pace and the lack of miles, I turned down a dead end. A man stood toward the middle walking two small warriors as they made my presence known. We exchanged a smile and then a laugh as I declared his warriors fierce. I rounded the end of the road and watched with glee as a man my father’s age flew a kite of many colors. We smiled at each other and I thought what a great thing to do on a windy day.
The warrior’s handler stood where I left him and his army charged closer. Forgetting the social distance rules, I leaned down and ask permission, surrendering to wiggly tails and soft fur. We talked a few minutes before parting and I struggled with tears as the visions of my walk closed around my throat.
A child laughing as parents chased him in the yard, a young couple out for a bike ride, a kid shooting hoops alone, a man flying a kite with no grandchildren impatiently waiting their turn, a woman throwing ball to her someone hidden from view behind a wooden fence, and a man in pajamas walking his furry best friends. I walked harder, no longer caring about the miles or the time it took to walk them. I wanted life to resume and yet I wanted this life to replace the busy. I wanted to see grandkids playing all day after church on Sunday’s as America takes one day to be family. To walk neighborhood streets, dust off the Frisbee, the football, the basketball. To smell hotdogs on the grill and listen as horseshoes clang and family cheer in awe. This is the part of this disease that I want to hold on to. Family dinners together, kids teaching mom and dad new dance moves, and family game night that last all night.
As I breathed hard up the last hill home with just over two miles, my Savior whispered, I will never leave you or forsake you…. And I know He hasn’t. He is provider, protector, healer…. He is all we need.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
