Good morning! Feeling great? Us too. This weekend is shaping up really well.

I’d like to tell you about my week – I had a great one.

It started on Saturday morning.

We were walking up to the pavilion around 8:20 and Jan was already sitting at a picnic table.

Dressed in hot pink, she’s a little sweaty and she’s disgusted.

She’s probably already been walking this morning.

Jan had re-introduced herself to me 3 weeks ago; her first time back to wwad since ’09. She told us back in February that she couldn’t take it anymore. She’s been exhausted and out of shape – for years.

She’s been back to the walk each week since.

“What’s up Jan?”

“You know, I told you I’m sick and tired of feeling like this” she shares with rushed speech.

“You walk?” I asked her.

“Yup.”

“Will you update the group this morning?” She had obliged in sharing her mission back on Feb 12th.

“Sure”

Before Jan spoke, we first all talked about some data regarding cancer prevention. Here’s the article.

“My friend Jan has some advice for us.”

Jan kept her seat in front of the 75 people gathered, most of who were standing, and used her outdoor voice.

She’s angry.

“My niece is graduating on May 20th and I want to be in a good mood when that goes down. I threw out all the crap in my kitchen and now I’m walking. I’ve lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks” Applause.

She’s got 5 weeks until graduation. @2 pounds/week that’s 16 lbs and she’ll only be halfway through spring.

10 minutes later I’m walking with Rosemary when Jan comes back to grab me.

“This dude is not doing well. He wants to quit.” She’s reaches up and puts her arm around the new guy. Jan is upset.

Said dude is in his early to mid 40’s, also carrying extra weight. He’s still walking but grabbing onto a park bench as he’s shaking his head. I’d say in disgust, but he’s smiling under his Indians cap.

“You new bud?”

“Yup”…catching his breath…”been wanting to come out for months…and finally did it.”

“What brings you out?”

Still walking, but gathering his breath, he says “My 10 year old son.”

At this moment, I love wwad more than I ever have, and believe me, I’ve always loved it.

Rosemary and I walk with this gentleman. He hasn’t been to the doctor and doesn’t know if he has diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol issues. He’s a bright guy and fully aware that if he doesn’t have it now…

I asked him what his plans are for this weekend.

He’s doing stuff with his son.

This guy’s walking around the park, holding on to Jan at times, but moving fast. His eyes are all over. He’s checking out dozens of others walking in front of us, behind us, and across from us. His breathing slows down as he falls into the pack.

We’re just walking. Not talking too much. I’m enjoying the quiet and the company.

He shares with another smile,

“I just want to be able to yell at the Browns with my son”

Others gradually come up and join us.

I’ll spare you on the details of the rest of the week, honestly, this was all I needed.

 

“Above all, try something” – fdr