Every Day Is a Winding Road

I just want to tell you this morning
that it's a good thing
I don't have to type with my legs
because I wouldn't be blogging today.

Friday I took my first spring walk.

Oh, I was feeling frisky and
up to the challenge.
The air was warm,
the birds were singing,
the time for exercise just seemed right.
I looked down the road
and confidently agreed
I was ready for a stroll.

My son and his girlfriend
-and our dogs in tow-
all set out on the sidewalk
and onto a nice paved bike trail.
Everything was suddenly green
and I lovingly inhaled the fresh air.

I immediately had a
fit and trim feeling-
a sassy kick to my stride-
a smug "Look at me- I'm walking"
silent sort of pride.

"How much further?" I asked,
easily maneuvering the first
block or so.

They laughed.

I couldn't.

I was already winded.

"Could you take the leash?" I pleaded
with my son, handing off my dog to him.
"I can hardly walk myself, much less
this stupid dog," I snapped between breaths.

There they were-
the two of them ahead of me
about ten paces.
Their muscular legs
and firm buttocks
and that
"I could run a marathon" attitude.

"You know," I reminded them-
"I have to be able to get back, too.
Unless you want to run and
get the car, we better turn around."

They laughed.

I couldn't.

Laughing takes air
and my lungs couldn't catch any.

But they pushed me.
Literally.
All the way back to the house
where I wheezed myself
to the couch and became
semi-comatose for the next hour.

My legs hurt today.
My feet still throb a little.

But everything in life
has a beginning and an end.

This was the beginning
of the new me.
The fit and healthy me.
The me with fresh habits.

Who knows?
Someday I might even have that
"I could run a marathon" attitude.

Well....
maybe all the way around the block
at least!