Walker

 As I was walking to the creek last week, I had the sudden realization that walking is my hobby, my sport, if you will.  I have been a walker my whole life. I have enjoyed going for a walk, considered walking the best form of transportation. 

When I was a kid, I used to walk to the store.  Sometimes I would intentionally miss the bus and walk the couple of miles home from school. I would frequently take the dog out for walks as a teenager.  A dog is a good walking companion. And, in college I didn't have a car, so there was a lot of walking on and around the campus.

As a young single adult I took up jogging briefly, but reverted to walking as I had frequent injuries.  I walked all over town.  I liked to go for walks in the sunshine.  And in the rain. And around the snow piles. Then during the married years I walked such places as Japan and Hawaii.  I frequently walked the Aliamanu Crater rim in the housing area.  I walked in Florida because I didn't have a car most of the time. I walked when we settled in St. Louis.  I just never really thought about walking as a hobby or a sport.

But, as I have once again become a walker, I have come to recognize that walking is my "thing." It is not a competitive sport, which is fine with me.  I can't even really call myself a hiker. I am just too slow these days.  I suffer from bad knees and Achilles tendons.  I walk carefully on pavement with good shoes.

I consider as I pass the dog walkers and fellow pedestrians whether I might once again enjoy having a dog to walk with. The nice thing about the imaginary dog is that it costs nothing.  I can imagine a variety of dogs and dog names,  But, maybe, if I live through this pandemic, I might consider a real in the flesh dog. I know that my grandson would approve.