Good evening. I have a little story to tell. Let me begin.
I am a life long distance runner. Some good marks including a 2:23 marathon, out kicking an Olympic marathoner to win Northern California’s oldest 10 kilometer race and a few other good performances. Not national class, though locally competitive.
I have been recently diagnosed with arthritis in my right hip. I kept trying to blame my mattress and sleeping on my beloved brother’s back porch when I visit him north of the Golden Gate. I eat really well there with my bro and sister in law. Taking the discomfort that it causes I now take long walks.
I live in Santa Cruz California which is an hour and a half south of San Francisco. I moved here last year to teach. My kids are older, I’m not married and have settled quite well into a hermit like existence. Books, walks, photos in the woods on the bluffs just north of town.
I decided to take a longer walk than usual yesterday. The election results had been reported, important to state reported not decided by the media as Mayor Rudi said they called it. They reported it Rudi. I have a good 14 mile loop that I have done a few times. I decided to extend it to 46,000 steps. Why? I’ll get there. A few exchanges with others along the way first.
I stopped at a local market on the way to pick up some bread and cheese to eat along the way. (I don’t stop as I walk. I eat as I walk. 45 years of distance running has instilled some habits, namely keep going!) I checked out my purchase at the coffee counter rather than the primary check out lines. One gets out quicker this way though one still needs to go around the main check out area. Next comes one of the highlights of human exchanges which always reveals the grandiosity of genuine and caring human exchange.
There was a customer that I kindly asked if I could go around to get out. She moved graciously to her left and said, “Of course.” I noticed she had a bountiful basket of groceries and said, “ What a full and lovely cart full of groceries you have!” Her response...tears. This was followed by her comment, “I am celebrating today!” I said, “Oh how sweet, you are crying!” My Irish eyes glowed with moisture. I was stunned and elated at her emotional display.
Five or so miles into my 46,000 step jaunt I saw a couple sitting off to the side of the trail. They stood up and made their way to the trail. One of them had an Obama t-shirt on. I remarked that I liked the shirt. We exchanged the details of our walks...where we started from etc. I recounted the details of my grocery store encounter. Peals of smiles spread across the face each face, mine included. One of the couple gripped her hands by her heart and appeared to stand on her tip-toes.
I did meet others along the way including Zelma who I have talked and briefly walked with before. She is from Missouri, though I have heard it called “misery” from others who have lived there. Zelma has an air about her that expresses her love of life. She has told my she goes to senior athletic games where she plays softball and runs sprint track events. She and her walking companions were elated with magnificent smiles on this morning.
OK. I am getting tired out. I walked purposefully towards 46,000 steps to honor our President-Elect Joseph Biden and our Vice President Kamala Harris as the 46th President and Vice President of these United States of America. Additionally, I proudly took each step to rid ourselves of the 45th President of these United States. Thank you.
