Yesterday I decided to go on a walk for the first time in almost 2 years. I used to walk often before my sons started needing more help with their care. I read in several places that exercise is helpful when we are grieving. I ignored the urge to go walk a few times since Christian passed away but I wasn’t able to ignore it this time. I completed the book series we read together, the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare (blog post on that coming later), so I no longer had an excuse. I settled on Gibson Park. At first I didn’t want to because that is the last place I went with Christian during his last week with us.
I couldn’t figure out why Christian kept asking me to stay by his side, but it all makes sense now. As weak as his arms were he was still able to feed one of the geese.
At first, I looked around the park and everything looked exactly how I felt, hollow and sad. The Chinook winds have been blowing for a few days so most of the snow has melted, revealing the trampled, soggy grass underneath. My heart began to lift when I noticed some mallard ducks right along the walking path. The geese were gathered around people who were feeding them. As I rounded the second bend on my lap around the park I heard chickadees – “chick a dee dee dee dee”. If you have ever heard them then you know exactly how cheery they sound and how uplifting it is to hear their call. I started snapping shots on my iPhone. Someone did a wonderful job carving this turtle out of a tree trunk. I also noticed the lamps
that had been put up since I had last walked at Gibson Park. I started to see beauty among the ashes of the winter storms we experienced over the last couple of months.
A little ways further and a friendly squirrel ran up to me and started scampering around me in circles. He looked at me like he was expecting a peanut. I looked around and noticed the little fellas were running and playing all over the park.
As my walk came to a close and my car came into view, I started feeling lighter. I knew that to do the things that bring me joy and peace are the things that honor Christian. I plan on continuing my walks and I hope to encounter more critters that I can take photos of and share with you all!
The road less traveled 