My theme for SOLSC '26: Thirty-one walks, thirty-one posts
I left work just before five thirty pm. For a brief moment, I considered making the walk from my library to my car the subject for today's post, but it felt a bit like cheating. So after I got home, and before I sat down and let the weight of the day glue me to my armchair, I told my son I was going for a short walk and not to lock me out of the house.
I decided to retrace my steps from last night. The setting sun was still bright enough to make me squint. A couple of cars drove past me and a neighbor who was painting his garage; neither of us said anything, and I wasn't unhappy about it. After a day of peopling, I prefer my own quiet bubble.
The sun was warm on my skin as I walked away from my house, but most of the trees were acting like it was still winter, spindly branches displaying old messy nests high against the clear blue sky. I crossed the street and turned in the direction of my home, feeling a change in the temperature as a cool wind offered the lightest of barriers against my tired body. A whizzing noise appeared over my left shoulder, and a young teen on a small electric motorcycle sped past me on the street, turning onto the hike-n-bike entrance where motorized vehicles are forbidden.
A man in a wheelchair approached me on his own rolling stroll. I said hello as we passed each other, breaking my bubble in an effort to show kindness in the face of someone's else's adversity. My hips decided they were done, and I remembered the ten-hour workday that preceded this walk. Crossing the street once more, I walked up the driveway, stepped through my front door, and plopped down in the armchair, feeling the heaviness of the day's work, still unfinished.
After a 10 hour work day, finding energy for a walk is quite a feat! Plus, your kindness when others invaded your "bubble" is clear in your actions. Your description of "felling the heaviness of the day's work still unfinished," is a statement that every teacher everywhere could put on a tee shirt!
ReplyDeleteI love your phrasing--"before I sat down and let the weight of the day glue me to my armchair"... "After a day of peopling, I prefer my own quiet bubble." ... "most of the trees were acting like it was still winter, spindly branches displaying old messy nests high against the clear blue sky." Your post made me smile and feel the tired release at the end of a long day.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cool idea, and you’re wise to save the walk to the car for later. I am now thinking about a trail walk near my home I have not done recently and feel motivated to tackle when it’s warmer.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a beautiful, true Slice, filled with details that had me feeling all the feels with you. I also loved the phrase "After a day of peopling" - I think I need to use this to explain to my husband why I'm so tired and need just 15 (or 20) (or 30!) minutes to decompress when I get home.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you captured the two small interactions on your walk. I could imagine them clearly. I could also certainly relate to the long day, that is still unfinished.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed taking this walk with you.
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