But I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more…. Have you seen The Sheep Detectives movie? The end credits include the song, “I’m Gonna Be” which has a chorus about walking 500 miles… I saw the movie last night with a friend and woke up this morning singing to myself about walking 500 miles… over and over again because they are the only words that I know.
Walking is a regular part of my life and has been for as long as I can remember. During our poverty-stricken student years Mark and I walked, pushing a stroller, because it was all that we could afford to do. We grew to love it and walking for recreation became a favorite pastime. We used to say that we would travel the world and just walk and walk – seeing everything along the way. Walking with an infant in a backpack, walking with teens, walking with friends. I loved it all… particularly when those walks occurred in Lewisville Park!! Walking with friends in Texas to prepare for our 21 mile temple walk. Walking in the mornings with Mark and trying to understand R&D tax credits so that I could help him talk through things at work. Walking with him to the corner when that was all of the breathing that he could handle. Walking alone.
What did I do the morning after Mark died? Ashley can tell you because she was up with her children… I got up and went walking. I came home and then turned around and went walking. It was the only way I could breathe.
And now? I walk five to six miles early each weekday morning with two wonderful women. We began walking to stay in good physical shape but we now know that we walk together to stay in good mental and spiritual shape as well. I trust them. We can discuss anything and we laugh a good deal. Our talks are encouraging and uplifting and we treasure them.
We walk and we talk but we also WONDER! What is wonder? Well, several years ago I read an article about the benefits of walking and how to make them even better. Walking is good but even better to walk with a friend. Walking is good but even better if you are out in nature. Walking is good but even better if you stop and WONDER. (Wonder as you wander – just had to say that.)
To wonder is to stop for a moment and gaze/contemplate/consider something beautiful in nature.
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” – Psalm 139:14
At this time I was walking each morning with Mark. I do this “wondering” quite naturally as I walk but I don’t think that it was as natural for him (he liked to talk about those tax credits), but he was quick and willing learner. I had to learn to actually stop my feet and look and ponder and wonder. Well, I don’t always stop but I do always “wonder…”
As soon as I was comfortable with these two friends I introduced the idea of “wonder.” We don’t always stop but often we do. Someone will interrupt the conversation to say, “Stop… Look….” and we will look and wonder at the sunrise, the clouds, a flower, a birdsong, or whatever has caught our attention.” It is a simple concept and it enriches everything. I grow closer to my surroundings, closer to my friends and closer to God. I grow more grateful for my surroundings, for my friends and for my God. My surroundings, my friends and my God become more and more beautiful to me.
“I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. – Luke 19:40
This week I was not sleeping well because I had been hurt by the actions of a dear friend. My walking friend is in a state much worse than mine. We listened carefully and tried to uplift each other. As we walked and shared deep feelings, I thought of how I was feeling the Lord’s Spirit in our midst. She then stopped us to “wonder” at what a special moment we were having and the Spirit that we felt. We had both felt it and we knew we were not alone.
“Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.” – Psalm 77:14
I so enjoy nature-loving Spirit-sensing friends! Topic Twist – with a new year I decided that I might as well try to find someone to date. So… being a hip, modern kind of girl..I downloaded a dating app which has been kind of fun. This is also where it seems that everyone wants to talk about how they love to be either at the gym or outside in sports that may be just a bit too active for our age. I think they are looking for a date to take pictures of them acting like they are 25, and then drive them to the hospital afterward. I thought it best to be perfectly honest about who I am and so guess what that includes? Nature! In other words – don’t bother to message me if you don’t agree with my WONDERING response to this (the question is Mountain or Beach?):
I love them both. I love the beauty, serenity and inspiration that is found in nature. Sunrise, sunsets, thunderstorms, waterfalls, birds singing, snow falling, sun shining, flowers blooming…. God’s creations bring me both peace and rejuvenation. The earth has music for those that listen.
That lucky man would have to want to “wonder” with me… and speaking of music… he would be willing to walk 500 miles, and then walk 500 miles more; just to be the man that walked 1,000 miles – to fall down at my door. …and that would be a wonder to me!
Learning-Laughing-Loving-Life 