Morning Walk
Our morning walks to preschool have become really special to me. Asher and I only have to walk five blocks, but blocks around here in our country-like suburban neighborhood (without sidewalks!) are variable in length. We get to talk about all sorts of important things, like where the water goes when it drains into the grate and the different birds that we hear, including chickens, woodpeckers, and songbirds. There’s plenty of chatter from him, too. He tells me what colors the pine cones in Dreamland are and how he is a brave knight who has a sword and a bow with which to fight the bad guys. We watch the frisky squirrels chase each other, pick up sticks and unwanted dandelions, and feel the bumpy plants (sedum murale?) growing in a rock wall.
The only kind of bad thing about our morning walk is that we have to be careful of the traffic from parents dropping their children off at our local public school, which is just a couple of doors down from our home. Our neighborhood is normally very quiet, but the daily getting-to-school time is busier. Still, it’s good practice for Asher. He’s learning how to stay on the very edge of the road or walk along the verge. And more often than not, I see smiles on the faces of the drivers that pass us with wider than necessary berths. I have to admit, Asher’s pretty damned cute as he marches merrily along, blond hair bouncing, or balances atop a curb or wall with arms outstretched.
Today it was something new.
“I gonna run! I gonna get my exercise.”
< Mama evaluates the traffic situation >
“OK.”
“You run too, Mama! You could run fast like me.”
< running >
“I faster than you!”
“You are very fast. You’re a good runner.”
< Mama jogs >
“Faster, Mama. Run faster! You run faster like me.”
< Asher pauses >
“I really exercised!”
“Yes, you did.”
“I gonna rest a minute.”
“OK. You catch your breath.”
I can’t really get in shape by walking five blocks and back twice a day, but I sure can enjoy the trip.
