I have to say, I don’t remember the hill. Yet, there it was, the trail dropping away from us at what seemed like a precipitous slope.
Okay, the trail was an asphalt path at least ten feet wide, and the slope wasn’t really that steep, but it was still enough to give me pause. It wasn’t, however, enough to give my dad pause.
Off he went.
Here’s the thing, though: The last time I walked this path near my parent’s house in Ohio, I was getting exercise during my extended stay for my father’s open heart surgery.
And now here he was, walking down that path. We didn’t go too far, and we didn’t go too fast, but he was walking it.
It was a nice little hike, and I hope to do it again sometime soon.
Yet There is Method 
Your opening paragraph brought me right into your world — “I have to say, I don’t remember the hill. Yet, there it was, the trail dropping away from us at what seemed like a precipitous slope.”, and I immediately wanted to read more. The perspective of you thinking of how far your Dad has come was lovely, without it being too overly gushing (for lack of a better word). I hope you have more hikes, too!
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Thank you, Heidi!
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So glad you and your dad got to spend this time together doing what you love. This line ” it was still enough to give me pause” seemed to sum up that feeling.
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Thanks, Erika {smile}
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So much metaphor in this, Tim, about the hills we must climb in life. And perspective. I rejoice with every step in this image of your father walking his path to healing…I saw my father and my husband do the same after their heart surgeries. My husband really savored his hikes; they were a lot of work at first and he started small (to the end of the driveway and back, completely winded) and eventually worked up to the park by a dam, where eagles fly overhead and deer watch hikers pass with a nonchalant glance as they munch on the grass at the woods’ edge. He can out-walk me. Continued strength to your dad, each day, on his memorable hikes.
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Fran, I’m glad to hear your story has had a good ending, and I’m glad mine is heading that way as well. It’s healing for all of us, I think, to be out in nature. Thank you!
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What a feeling it must’ve been to see him make such progress! It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t fast or far… it happened. This is progress and it is wonderful!
May your father feel stronger with every passing day so that you can enjoy more hikes in the future.
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It was a wonderful feeling, indeed! Thank you {smile}
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