I’ve walked a mile in my shoes.
Heck, I’ve walked hundreds of miles in my shoes–maybe even thousands.
You may think that sounds preposterous, and maybe it is, I can’t be sure. But I can be sure that I love my shoes!
For you see, during most of the summer I did not bother putting on my shoes. I could not walk.
Well, that may be a little misleading. I could walk: I just couldn’t go for a walk. Even to the end of my driveway.
But that has changed now. By the freely given grace of God, I can again go for a walk.
So look what I did. I put on my shoes:
My Shoes!
I was so happy I cried!
My sister Joan and I walked through a life-size dinosaur exhibit. My friend Pamela and I walked through a quilt exhibit. I walked through the exhibit at the North Valley Art League. Mike and I walked through the Farmer’s Market. The week after that, my friend Nancy was here from Rhode Island. My friend Joy joined us as we decided to go gold-panning.
But first, I had to change shoes. Trail shoes and water shoes may be the same for some adventurers, but not for me. I put on my water shoes:
- My Water Shoes!
Then we went to Whiskeytown National Park and panned for gold near the Camden House:
Gold Fever… Yes-sir-ee!
Mike found a flake after an hour of swishing and swirling in the sparkling clear water, but we three girls found our gold in the sparkling hearts of one another.
Then, before we knew it, it was time to go.
We packed up our belongings, looked one last time at the pristine creek, and turned to walk back to the car.
For you see, I could walk back to the car.
So I bid the long, warm Dog Days of Summer a fond farewell:
Farewell Dog Days…
Hello Bruno!
I can only hope that Fall will find me walking through the crunchy leaves on the land I love.
Maybe you will join me as we walk together on this path called life.
I am so happy for you, Gayle. And what beautiful feet and ankles you have! I know you are enjoying every step. I will think of you as I walk today and not take it for granted. I love receiving your journal entries. They help me to keep perspective, and to keep you in my heart. xoxox, Sandy
Thank you, Sandy. Hope you enjoyed that walk of yours today all the more with gratitude in your heart! Happy to be in your heart. 🙂
More! Want more walks with Gayle.
More! More walks with Pamela–yay!
Gayle, It was a unique moment meeting up with you at Michael’s. But I did
not realize how unique until reading this revealing account of your summer.
A big wow! May God’s grace continue to uplift and surprise you. Lovingly, Peggie
Hi Peggie, Yes it was big for me. I drove myself there for the first time in quite a while. Little victories sometimes turn out to be some of the sweetest!
Wow! That is so exciting! You are walking again! I hope to see you and Mike on one of the Wednesday hikes! Happy trails…
Now, if I could only hike……
This is glorious!!! Amen to this. Smile on my face envisioning it. I love you.
Hello my darling Liz. Next time you visit during warm months we’ll take you. You’d love it so much we would have a tough time dragging you home! xxxooo
HA HA! Yes. You would absolutely have to drag me home, and then I would have you in Brooklyn so I WOULD COMPLEEEEETLY GET MY WAY! LOVE YOU SO- It’s still making me so happy to think of you in your sweet shoes! What you gonna be for Halloween? I’m thinking of dressing up as a hippy. That way, it’s an excuse to get objectively hideous psychedelic clothing that I would really wear in real life. Please give everybody kisses for me. xoxoxoox
Sweet Liz, Now watch what you say about hippie clothing–I wore it! Ha Ha But, please, please, stay outrageous! I’d like to visit you in Brooklyn one day. Haven’t spent much time there. But I suppose we can laugh wherever we are. Much love to you.
Dear Gayle, Your joy in walking shines through in your post. I’m so happy you were able to enjoy what so many of us take for granted. May you continue to be graced by God, as you inspire all of us to enjoy every single thing about each and every day. Hugs to you!
Thank you, Canda. I suspect you are one who finds the joy in daily living. “Ain’t” it grand!
You remain a MIRACLE!
I do so love miracles! I guess all of us are one, however, when we stop to think about it. The fact that we exist at all is miraculous!
Gayle- I am SO impressed. And happy, and cheering you on, on all your walks this fall, this winter (do you have snowshoes?) and on into spring. Have I told you enough what an inspiration you are? I just took off my barn boots (rain and mud for days, but welcome, as we have been too dry) and have put on my comfy shoes – I think I’ll take all four of my sweet elder dogs for a walk in the rain! Much love to you, dear friend!
Hi Rita, Thanks for your good cheer! Yes, I have snowshoes. Two pair. A red, sharp-toothed pair for aggressive treks and a light-weight gray pair for a walk in the park. With any luck, I will wear them this winter. Not only luck for me, but California is in a severe drought situation and we NEED the snow. Hope you enjoyed your dog-walk. One of my favorite things to do is walk in the rain. Maybe one day we will do that together!
I am so happy to read that you are walking again! You inspire me and touch my heart every time I read your writings. Sending you love!
Thanks Marianne. I remember the day we went snowshoeing. I think it was overlooking the Hudson River? It’s a great memory. Thank you for your kind words of support and love. Hope all is well with you.
Gayle, l am so glad that you can go for a walk and that it brings you such great joy. I felt so bad, for months, missing the opportunity to write with you. I always look for your posts, they mean a great deal to me, I thank you so much. I will remember your joy for the great outdoors when I walk in the great outdoors.
Thank you, Judith, for reading (and enjoying) my posts. 🙂 I do love the outdoors and am very lucky to live in an outdoor setting. I never get tired of being here. It’s like having a backpacking view with a king-sized bed and hot, running water. Doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
Glorious walking to you Gayle! The ladies at my Bible Study and I will continue to be praying for you and your ability to have a wonderful time crunching leaves on fall walks. Hope I can join you on a jaunt and visit too! You are so loved and appreciated!
Thanks, Sandi.Glad to hear you and the ladies are back together again. Your prayers must be why I’m feeling better. 🙂 I’m still not taking many jaunts but am still painting Sunday mornings. You’re welcome to pop in if you ever care to. You are appreciated, too!
Hi Gayle, thought of you and Mike last evening when we were at the Halloween Monster Mash at the Sr. Center. Many old friends were there sharing a good time. I am so glad to have read this latest inspiration My Shoes, knowing you are out there trying… We think of you often, Love, T & D.
Thank you for your kind words. Monster Mash sounds like fun. I look forward to the day I can again put on my dancing shoes and join you. As you know, dancing is one of my favorites! Come visit if you get a hankerin’ to.