Today, I went for a walk

Walking. Such a simple act learned young and repeated over and over through-out life with little thought to the action. We walk to get a drink of water. We walk to the door. When we are young and dating, a walk to the door is often capped by a kiss. Sometimes the walk is slow and easy, other times quick and hurried.
Most of my life is marked by walking. When I was five years old, I walked to school with my mom to my first day of kindergarten. I wore a blue and white Holly Hobby dress; I walked on air that day. When I was in 5th grade I walked slowly, oh so slowly, to the front of the stage to sing an assigned song for a school program; I walked with wobbly legs that night. When I was 15, I walked home from school with two people who became two of my closest friends, joking and laughing; That day my walk was joyful and light. When I was 18 I walked with my class to my place in line, soon to be announced as a graduate; I walked with a mixture of sadness and excitement. When 20, I walked the aisle of my church to meet my groom; I walked this day with unsure but determined steps, my father beside me. When I was 22 I walked into a hospital and then three days later walked out, changed into a mom; My feet walked me, but my mind soared. Throughout the next few years, I walked the floors with crying babies, walked in and out of doctors offices, grocery stores, dry cleaners, and church.; My walk was often with purpose and exhaustion.
Today, I went for a walk with my youngest daughter. This walk was just walking, no destination, no predetermined parameters, just walking. She was leading and I simply followed where she lead. She would take a few steps, stop, look at a flower or tree or stick or whatever, and then resume walking. I just watched and listened as she talked. She talked about her bad dream the night before, the color of the dog in the neighbors yard, why she thought that the sky should be closer so she could feel a cloud and so on. Her chattering was joyful, her tone pure and sweet. And then I noticed the way she walked; She walked with arms swinging, feet almost dancing. I began to imagine all the wonderful walks she has yet to take, the ones that will carry her into experiences of life and laughter, of joy and fear. Then she looked at me and said "Mama, you walk like an angel." With tears in my eyes I responded "that's because I'm walking with you!"