Walking

The past week, I had no access to my car, since it was in the shop, so I had to walk to work, take the bus, or beg poor Ashley to drive me places.  We got our car back today, but I'm actually quite glad that I had that week without a car.  It made me slow down, get up a bit earlier, and enjoy some fresh air.  As it's been quite nice compared to the dreadful heat we've had all summer, I was able to walk to and from work without breaking out in too much of a sweat.  There were some nights when Kyle would walk to the mall and then walk with me home, since I was too afraid to walk home in the dark.

It was nice to be able to walk like that, and not feel rushed to go to work or go home.  I got to have nice conversations with Kyle during our walks, just like we did when we were dating.  They were good quality, half-hour or more walks at a time, and it made me realize just how lucky I was to slow down and have some time with him, and if I was alone, to myself.  I got to listen to songs on my iPod that I hadn't been able to slow down and enjoy, and even though I'm quite out of shape, I felt a bit healthier every time I did it.... so much so that I might actually just continue walking to work from now on.

It's not just those things about walking that make me happy, though -- a lot of what made me writing it down as one of my little joys is the fact that I have the ability to walk.  I noticed throughout the week of my increased walking the people who had trouble walking or couldn't walk at all, and it made me appreciate that I am, in fact, much healthier than I give myself credit, and that all of my body parts actually work as they should.  It also made me really appreciate and admire the athletes that have disabilities yet are still active and can compete in so many sports I wouldn't even know how to do.  Their strength makes me want to do more, and it makes me want to be more than I have been.

I suppose knowing, wanting, and appreciating the things that we have (yet take for granted most of the time) is something that we should all practice doing.  I love that I can walk, and to do so more often would be a way to appreciate not just that I have been given that ability, but also all the things I can experience because of it.

Like holding hands. :)