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Sarah Simpson Column: Boy am I walking the walk!

I am being forced to admit I’m getting older.
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A milestone birthday is approaching for me and between that and the arthritis I am being forced to admit I’m getting older.

One of the reasons I know I’m no longer a young person is that I yell and shake my fist at people who drive by too fast when I’m out with my kids. That’s the sign of a real grown up isn’t it? I also love a good afternoon nap and, truthfully, we do eat dinner closer to 5 p.m. than 7 p.m. but I blame the kids for that. They are in bed by 7:30 p.m. (if everything goes according to plan. Let’s not talk about how often things go sideways OK?), which means an earlier dinner and if I’m efficient and I get my ducks in a row, I can be in bed before 9 p.m.

See what I mean? I’m totally getting old.

I’ve come to terms with this. I like to watch Jeopardy, I enjoy a good discount and there’s nothing better than a good cup of tea and a cookie mid afternoon. What cracks me up, though, is my new-found affinity for walking. I can’t seem to get enough of plain ol’ “going for a walk”.

Over the course of the summer I’ve become a fanatic. I’m almost certain it has come with age. I’m even willing to wake up early to get my walk in. I think that’s a byproduct of aging too isn’t it? Less requirement for sleep? Or maybe it’s just that I go to bed before the streetlights come on and that usually leads to being up early? Either way.

Now, I’m not a professional. I haven’t gone all out and bought “walking shoes” or found a sturdy walking stick or whatever, but I do like to get in a good hour or so multiple times a week and given I’m telling you this, I suppose I’m not particularly ashamed to admit it publicly.

First of all, it’s a good excuse for coffee. Depending on how long I want to walk for, the distance I’d like to travel, and/or how good I want my coffee to be, I can walk anywhere from a half hour to almost two hours to get to whatever coffee place I pick.

Second, going in the morning really is a pleasant way to ease into the day. It may seem like torture for some to roll out of bed, get dressed, brush your teeth and get out the door, and I wouldn’t disagree. That part sucks. But getting out there and breathing the fresh, crisp morning air (though in recent weeks it’s been more like a smoke break), it’s worth it. It lends itself nicely to having hope for a good day ahead. We all need a little extra hope sometimes.

Third, and I shouldn’t really broadcast this but I’m going to anyway: I really do like to go alone. It’s a nice time to reconnect with myself without a laundry basket in one arm and kids hanging all over the other, or without having my thinking guided by my assignments at work or to-do list at home.

Though I will admit that much like when I run, I do tend to concoct an escape plan for every single could-be-abductor vehicle that drives by, and a specialized ninja self defence sequence for every other pedestrian I pass. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve imagined taking the lid off my hot coffee and throwing it in the face of my imaginary assailant. I’m not sure if that’s paranoia or just smart. Either way, you’ve been warned.

But, being an older person now, I feel my new-found walking wisdom is guiding me correctly. If only on a walk to the coffee shop.



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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