Walking in Stride

Dad's never been a runner, though he's been a strong advocate for fitness, exercise, & movement in general throughout our lives. Hiking while on vacation (camping! 😍), backyard badminton, occasional neighborhood walks, & some other times too. He's definitely always loved a good walk.

I recall one Memorial Day Weekend camping trip where we'd hardly even been set up more than a few minutes - in fact - I don't recall us being completely set up - I think the party lights - Dad's favorite (remember this post? 😎) - & the camper's awning - had yet to be put in place. Yet Dad wanted to make the most of the day - well, probably the weather - maybe me & the age I was at that current moment. We didn't go far. Just a quick stroll (I really want to write "down memory lane" right here 😂 - it feels so appropriate, & yet, well, we didn't; we hardly spoke at all during this stroll) around a portion of the campground which cut into the area where our campsite was situated.

I also recall back when I running [read: jogging] with the cross country team in high school, & I'd see Mom at the top of the final hill, where I so desperately longed for her to be at the bottom of the hill, the bottom of the stairs below the hill, & at the sideline of the track where our school's cross country course happened to finish. I'd have no energy, though I'd still do my [pathetically] best to motion to her & weakly (cause I really was worn out) cry out, "Go down. Go down."

To which she'd reply in a, 'Gee, I wish I could. Though with my knees...' tone, "Dad's down there. I'll be able to watch you finish from right here where I'm standing. I'm proud of you. You're doing so good." She was right. She could see me from where she was standing. She could watch, pretty much, all of the rest of the event & all of the camaraderie from that spot, though there was some minor tree blockage. And I'm sure it was relatively difficult for her (although she never focused on making any changes in order to make this situation any different) because she couldn't be right there among the other mothers who'd managed to come out to the school & the track to support their sons & daughters listening to their chatter & contributing to their conversation. I think so at least. From where she "had to" wait it was a bit odd, though it was an unspoken understanding since it was obvious she wasn't able to be standing alongside her husband fully supporting her children as they participated on their team. Also, I'm sure that Dad filled her in on the scene as he saw it in order for her to "keep up with the Jones'" among the team's parents.

Dad was there though. He did come down to the track. I'd just completed another 3.1 miles & I'd accomplished that. He knew that I knew he was there for me & if every other teammate was too busy & caught up in their own conversation (remember I was the last one & many might have already been on their way with the remainder of their day) I could count on him if only for a jovial, "You made it!" "Good job!" "You finished!" and generally just being present. And sometimes this moment would also include a father/daughter hug. (Did I mention I'd have been rather sweaty & he'd have been in his work clothes? ...Which would have been a dress shirt, Dockers, & likely a tie too.) He did his best. He did what he could within the limitations of what he had available.

At a time, years later, Dad & I decided to optimize that same track. With me running & with him walking. I ran & we paid attention to see how often I lapped him. I think, during that "event" I ran two miles. I also think that during that "event", I lapped him twice. I probably didn't use the opportunity as well as I could've. It's only been in more recent years that I've done better with paying attention to my form & goals while I run rather than allowing my mind to dilly dally...Which is what happened that day, resulting in my not making the most of it, & not working better to lap Dad more frequently.

*****

Since Dad's retirement he's joined in a walking group that meets up at a local park. They use these (each member purchased whichever model worked best for their personal taste) to calculate their distance & steps & track miscellaneous information. There are prizes for various accomplishments, which, as any ordinary "group" might need, is their overall motivator.

He kept at the group for quite some time & knew that he needed something better than what he'd been managing with since he'd joined. He also knew that if he gently mentioned it to me, I'd likely work on figuring out something for him. That I did. 😊 Yep. That's exactly what I did do. I worked on some homework to pick something that'd likely work best for his situation. I cross referenced with a few brick & mortar stores. Then I selected this & had Amazon mail it directly to him. He responded with a quick (that's his style! 😊) & joyful email that he'd received the package & it was just what he wanted.

I won't lie. 😏 It did feel good that the homework efforts I put into my purchasing decision were all for the good. 😄



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