The People We Meet Along the Way
April 28, 2022
Today I’m reminded to walk. To walk in step to walk with someone to walk with a leading hand. There is a lesson to be learned in walking in step. Today I was out on the katy trail. .7 miles away from my apartment needed to go for a run in which I decided was going to be purposeful. Purposeful for in that moment meant simply to get out, get moving, exercise, get my mind going to rush back to study for the rest of the evening. No watch, no battery to my headphones. Just me and the legs beneath me. As I came to the katy trail I took a hard right. I continue running and working out the worlds biggest concerns in my mind. Stressed about exams, school, my future, everything in between. I turn around after about a mile and turn back around. I intently make it a goal to go past the icehouse. As I approach, I am looking up and I see a man, an older gentleman sitting by the benches of the icehouse, in the middle hub of the katy trail just taking the scene in. He looks at me, smiles, and nods his head almost as encouragement. I smile and reciprocate with a wave.
I finish my run and come back to the water fountain at the icehouse. I ask him if he would like a cup of water while I get myself some. He responds “I’m okay thank you though, just have some for yourself” I sit then on the bench, and he says how was it? good run today? I respond a hard run. How Long? About a mile and a half! Which way did you come from? over that way, south. And which way for you? and he gently points to what I think is east. He says he comes out here every day that he can when the world isn’t frozen, but this is his usual stroll about 3 miles away from where he lives. We filled the space with him asking me what brought me out to Dallas and what I do for work and school. He filled the trail with stories of how he traveled the United States to find the best mountains to ski, then to teach ski lessons and become an instructor for the United States army. He told me about living in Montana and Maui. we talked about lookout pass, the best kept secret of powder on the border of Montana and Idaho. And we talked about the surf and evidently the culinary culture of Maui.
He said he had to get going before it gets too windy to get back to his place. So, I walked with him. Side by side, step by step we covered the culinary importance of fresh ingredients for salads and shared the value of spectacular olive oil. We talked about the one time he went pheasant hunting and the claim to fame that my dog is a national champion for bird hunting with my dad. As we crossed streets, he asked me if I was okay walking or if there was something I rather needed to be doing. I told him about my test coming up and I responded the importance to take breaks in the day to allow myself to be right where my feet are.
He told me about what he often sees when he comes out here on the Katy Trail every day. He tells be how he applauds the people walking but is perplexed by the use of their phones while they are outside in the sun. We talked about his physical therapist and the importance of staying active. “Never count on a moment where you will be able to move your feet, enjoy it”
He lives over in victory place by the American airlines center at the W. He was planted in Dallas with his wife when they found that Dallas is the best place to roll. Remember how I told you he was sitting; He is sitting in an adaptive mobile device. Some may call it a wheelchair, this what he calls it. So, the adaptive device allows him to roll. Maui was hard to roll because of the lack of sidewalks and the abundance of sand. Montana is hard to roll due to the weather and how fr apart establishments may be. The adaptive device has adapted overtime to his needs. This adaptive device allows him to adapt to his environment and his needs. It has a left arm and a right controller. Bill has had ALS for the last 13 years, a disease he states normally concludes within three years. He is still here and still moving.
I hope I didn’t take too much out of your day- no, exactly opposite, this added to my day, this didn’t take a single thing away but rather added an abundance of perspective and insight on what matters.
To listen to attentively listen to what makes someone smile what lights up a room and what brings it out. There will be a time in life where we may be the one ending up in an unforeseen situation. There may be a time where I want someone to walk with me home. May I continue to look up and to listen intently. May I ask questions, may I stay on the path that you have set out. To look up and to walk in step. To add and not take away, you are a God of abundance, and you see each of us right where we are. You bring us where we are supposed to be in your time. We cannot walk or roll through this life alone. You are teaching me to slow down again, to allow space and time. To add margin and in the busyness to find my footing again. It might bring me 15 minutes away from my apartment, but it was precious time I will rest in. Today I stud, I read, I share, I talk, and I write because of the light you have shined today. Today I am inspired to keep my feet moving and to enjoy right where I am. Don’t forget to look up and see one another. And for that I will run and I will walk with bill time and time again.
Make room for margin, clear the schedule and find the people along the way.
