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MUSINGS ON LIFE
I think; therefore, I muse
 
DIANE HUGHES • NASHVILLE, TN
WRITER, EDITOR, CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL

He didn't take his walk today

3/1/2015

10 Comments

 
Picture
There's an elderly man in my neighborhood. We have a strange relationship. He walks his dog every morning, and I generally drive past during his morning constitutional. He smiles and waves. I smile and wave.

We have never spoken.

I've never taken the time to stop; I'm always in a rush to get to work. But seeing the old man always makes me smile. My husband, however, has taken the time. That's how I learned that before too long, I may no longer see my "friend" on his morning walks.

You see, my husband has stopped to chat with our neighbor. My significant other knows some significant facts about our friend: where he lives, his first name, and ... that he was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

I didn't see the old man this morning. Some mornings I don't, depending on our respective timing. But now, whenever I don't see him, I wonder ... will I ever see him again? Is he too sick to come out? Has the cancer taken him? Why have I never taken the time to stop and say hello? Why have I never made the effort to tell him that seeing him wave at me most mornings brings a smile to my face?

I hope to see the old man again. And when I do, I hope I'm not in a hurry. Because while I may think I don't have time to stop, his time may be running out. And, I guess, so is mine.


UPDATE 04/23/2015: I saw my "friend" this morning! I immediately stopped, rolled down the car window and wished him "good morning." I let him know that I'd missed seeing him on his walks; he replied that he'd been receiving chemo treatment but was trying to get out and walk some — it made him feel a bit better, he said. I acknowledged that I knew of his illness and had wondered how he was doing. He smiled and thanked me for asking. Shortly, I drove on with a wave and a smile, hopeful of seeing him again. And thankful that today, at least, I wasn't in too much of a hurry.

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10 Comments
Rick
3/2/2015 06:11:33 am

I like to think of this child’s version of Enoch. (Genesis 5:24) “Enoch Walked with God. Then he was not. God took him.” The teacher ask the Sunday school class “what do you think this means?” A small boy says, “Well, I guess they were friends and took walks together. Long walks. One day they were talking, forgot the time, walked real far, and they got tired. So God said, “Enoch, my friend, your home is so far, why don’t you just come home with me.”

I would like to think on my morning prayerful walks, God is with me, as he is with your neighbor. This gentle dog loving soul has touched your heart, spreading compassion. It is sad to miss those that walk among us, but it is an inescapable fact of life, sometimes more grievous depending on our connection. I prefer to think that when this life ends our morning walks, with God, are now at his place.

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Diane Hughes link
3/2/2015 11:19:12 am

I love that thought, Rick. It's comforting to remember him as still walking, smiling and waving ... he'll just be in a different location.

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laura wilkins
3/2/2015 10:28:17 am

Beautiful comment too Rick...

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Laura Zera link
3/5/2015 03:39:16 pm

Every day is precious, isn't it? I hope you have the chance to say hello before he says farewell, but if not, Rick has captured things quite eloquently.

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Diane Hughes link
3/6/2015 05:09:01 am

I'm keeping an eye out for him, Laura. So far, no sightings in many days.

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Shawna Hickling link
3/26/2015 01:08:11 pm

Your writing is beautiful! This brought tears to my eyes! I so hope you see the old man again.

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Diane Hughes link
4/23/2015 07:36:32 am

Shawna,

Thanks so much for visiting! Glad you enjoyed the post. And you'll be happy to hear that I did see my "friend" this morning. I was quite surprised but pleased to see him walking his dog this morning. :-)

Reply
Diane Hughes link
4/23/2015 08:09:34 am

For those following comments here, I wanted to say that I saw and spoke with the old man today! Warmed my heart to see his face.

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Carrie Lundy
1/26/2016 01:58:57 pm

What a lovely and inspiring post! And Rick's comment was wonderful too. Diane, you must be busy lately. I look forward to your next story!

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ajit link
2/15/2023 12:05:52 am

Thank you for sharing this important information. In my opinion, it's wonderful. They have significant things to say, and I should listen to what they have to say.

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    DIANE HUGHES

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