As this day comes to a close, I look back over it and am satisfied with the way that it went. While nothing particularly monumental happened, it was the little things that made it so grand. A nice little walk, a dozen friendly faces, good conversation and even a hug from an old friend. Little things. Simple things. Wonderful things.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Walking in a small town...
October 11, 2012
As I was out walking this morning I had three people stop and ask if my truck had broken down, had it run out of gas or did I need a ride...And this was all within a block of my starting point and I only walked two of these 'city' blocks. I'm sure had I walked farther I might would have had the opportunity to meet a good number of town folks! I thanked them all and we parted ways with smiles and laughter.
I must admit, it is not easy for me to walk alone in a town full of people I don't know and I don't blame this on any particular town. I've been this way everywhere I've ever lived, regardless. I'm not handicapped to much extent, unless you happen to count that visual issue, but I try to look past that with the good eye. But I am self-conscious and I am shy, as surprising as that might be to many who think they know me, and that is an even greater handicap than partial blindness. And while I know that walking is good for my mind, body and soul, it remains a struggle for me to do.
Yet as I walked this morning and had three strangers stop and inquire if I needed help, their simple acts not only warmed my heart, but these people touched my soul as well. Their thoughtfulness and consideration in stopping to offer help if needed goes back to a time that too many of us have forgotten. A time when you offered to help not only a stranger, but perhaps even that neighbor you didn't particularly care for because it was the right, and the good, and the polite thing to do. Because you had been taught all of your life that you reap what you sow and if you helped someone in need, that same help would come to you later when you needed it. And because in a small town, your neighbors were essentially an extention of your family and of yourself and even if you don't particularly like them, you do respect them.
All in all this morning, I had 3 people stop and offer help, eight people I don't know drive past and wave, one short little dog with a big bark ordering me to move along, a greeting by a lovable cat in the middle of the road and a polite nod and wave from the sheriff. As I arrived back at my truck, with the muscles in my legs screaming and begging for mercy, I was smiling and thinking, "What a great way to start a morning!"
As I was out walking this morning I had three people stop and ask if my truck had broken down, had it run out of gas or did I need a ride...And this was all within a block of my starting point and I only walked two of these 'city' blocks. I'm sure had I walked farther I might would have had the opportunity to meet a good number of town folks! I thanked them all and we parted ways with smiles and laughter.
I must admit, it is not easy for me to walk alone in a town full of people I don't know and I don't blame this on any particular town. I've been this way everywhere I've ever lived, regardless. I'm not handicapped to much extent, unless you happen to count that visual issue, but I try to look past that with the good eye. But I am self-conscious and I am shy, as surprising as that might be to many who think they know me, and that is an even greater handicap than partial blindness. And while I know that walking is good for my mind, body and soul, it remains a struggle for me to do.
Yet as I walked this morning and had three strangers stop and inquire if I needed help, their simple acts not only warmed my heart, but these people touched my soul as well. Their thoughtfulness and consideration in stopping to offer help if needed goes back to a time that too many of us have forgotten. A time when you offered to help not only a stranger, but perhaps even that neighbor you didn't particularly care for because it was the right, and the good, and the polite thing to do. Because you had been taught all of your life that you reap what you sow and if you helped someone in need, that same help would come to you later when you needed it. And because in a small town, your neighbors were essentially an extention of your family and of yourself and even if you don't particularly like them, you do respect them.
All in all this morning, I had 3 people stop and offer help, eight people I don't know drive past and wave, one short little dog with a big bark ordering me to move along, a greeting by a lovable cat in the middle of the road and a polite nod and wave from the sheriff. As I arrived back at my truck, with the muscles in my legs screaming and begging for mercy, I was smiling and thinking, "What a great way to start a morning!"
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Been a while since I've written on this blog. Didn't realize it had been so long until I pulled it up and looked. WOW! Time certainly flies when life gets in the way!
Been walking more these days. Not long walks, but walking just the same. The muscles have grown flabby, the ligaments and tendons have shortened and it doesn't take much to stretch them too far...but I am trying. Not just for physical health, which you'll get no argument from me...is vital. However, a walk tends to sooth my nerves, lower my blood pressure, hone my senses and causes me to smile...even when I'm panting and wondering if I'm going to have to crawl all the way back home!
The wind in my ears makes me think of the breath of God...I can not literally see Him, but I know He's there because I feel His breath upon the winds and hear His voice as it rushes over me.
The cotton-tail hidden beneath the creosote bush reminds me that God cares for even he and aren't I every bit as important to God as a bunny rabbit?
The tiny purple and white desert flowers reminds me that God can place beauty anywhere in this world, but it is up to us to take the time to slow down, look around and both find and see it.
The wave of a passer-by, the smile of an elderly man sitting on his front porch, a nod from a lady heading out to her car to go to work...The barking dogs, the stray cats, the birds flying overhead, a deer bounding off from the yard of an abandoned house just a few blocks ahead...The rumbling of a freight train, it's horn blowing blasts that echo off the hills and create a beautiful harmonic symphony in the early morning hours...The eighteen wheelers on the main highway, shifting down as they pass through town...
All these sights and sounds remind me that I am alive to see, hear, feel and enjoy the simple beauties of life in a small town.
Life may not be perfect. It may fail miserably in so many ways. And, yet??? Life is beautiful, grand, magnificent and something to be appreciated, cherished, respected, admired and, yes, LOVED!
For it is by the Grace of God that I am alive today...and I thank Him for another day to live, to breath, to see, to smell, to feel, to hear, to speak, to write, to walk and to praise Him for His Love!
Glory Be to God in the Highest!
Been walking more these days. Not long walks, but walking just the same. The muscles have grown flabby, the ligaments and tendons have shortened and it doesn't take much to stretch them too far...but I am trying. Not just for physical health, which you'll get no argument from me...is vital. However, a walk tends to sooth my nerves, lower my blood pressure, hone my senses and causes me to smile...even when I'm panting and wondering if I'm going to have to crawl all the way back home!
The wind in my ears makes me think of the breath of God...I can not literally see Him, but I know He's there because I feel His breath upon the winds and hear His voice as it rushes over me.
The cotton-tail hidden beneath the creosote bush reminds me that God cares for even he and aren't I every bit as important to God as a bunny rabbit?
The tiny purple and white desert flowers reminds me that God can place beauty anywhere in this world, but it is up to us to take the time to slow down, look around and both find and see it.
The wave of a passer-by, the smile of an elderly man sitting on his front porch, a nod from a lady heading out to her car to go to work...The barking dogs, the stray cats, the birds flying overhead, a deer bounding off from the yard of an abandoned house just a few blocks ahead...The rumbling of a freight train, it's horn blowing blasts that echo off the hills and create a beautiful harmonic symphony in the early morning hours...The eighteen wheelers on the main highway, shifting down as they pass through town...
All these sights and sounds remind me that I am alive to see, hear, feel and enjoy the simple beauties of life in a small town.
Life may not be perfect. It may fail miserably in so many ways. And, yet??? Life is beautiful, grand, magnificent and something to be appreciated, cherished, respected, admired and, yes, LOVED!
For it is by the Grace of God that I am alive today...and I thank Him for another day to live, to breath, to see, to smell, to feel, to hear, to speak, to write, to walk and to praise Him for His Love!
Glory Be to God in the Highest!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)