4.19.2012

Chasing Pavement


If you've been a reader of this blog for long, you know that I love walking. It used to be a routine of mine -- my "artful walks."

You also know that I have been unable to walk very much since I developed Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of autoimmune, inflammatory arthritis that attacks my hips and spine, and many other joints.

Recently I started feeling better - closer to my old self than I had in a long time. I could walk without limping and without a cane. I only needed to be in bed to sleep, I was living life awake, out loud, and enjoying every minute of it. I knew I would eventually flare up again, so I determined to make as many memories as I could before landing back in a flare.

Yesterday morning I woke up at 5:45 wanting to walk. I got dressed in the dark, trying not to disturb my husband Jonathan, grabbed my iPhone and headphones, laced up my walking shoes I haven't worn in maybe a year, and headed out. I saw the sun rise, took pictures of beautiful things I came across, walked with long, happy strides, and listened to Pandora. My soul was beaming and my face probably was too.


I walked well over a mile, which felt so familiar even after being out of my walking routine for so long, and I tell you, it felt like flying. 

One of the songs that came on during my walk was Chasing Pavements by Adele. While most of the lyrics had nothing to do with my life or my walk, this line stood out to me:

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasin' pavements?

I felt so free and alive and filled with hope -- flares would come again, but so would times like this and I could rest in flares, knowing that somewhere around the corner, was another chance to fly.


to be continued...

7 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you got the whole experience of walking again! Love you, Wendy

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  2. I so love walking and carrying my digital camera :-) And I have hundreds of church steeple pics. I live in Wilmington NC which is known from some awesome churches. I am also a freak for flowers too :-) Love the pics and so glad you got out and about. It just renews the spirit and soul.

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  3. It sure does. Thank you, Deborah!

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  4. As a walker myself, I can identify with the freedom you felt on your walk. I am so happy that you felt well enough to enjoy this special walk and hope that many more on the way. I am so happy for this simple victory!

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  5. Thanks Cathy, it's interesting you used that phrase "simple victory." That's exactly how I felt, victorious!

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  6. What a wonderful post! So glad you were able to have this moment for yourself. :)

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