Inspiring One Another Through Love!

Wow, Are You Still on Your Walk? That's Impressive!

As I prepared a quick breakfast consisting of a muffin, a banana, and a scoop of yogurt, I asked Siri for my morning update. When I heard that the temperature was 42 degrees, I felt reassured about my morning walk, especially since the past few days had been brisk, with temperatures in the low thirties. After putting on my Ghost 16s, I stopped by the recycling bin before heading out. The recycling company was moving the bins, but I could drop off my items while the last bin was still in place.
Instinctively, I greeted the garbage collector, who returned my greeting. I mentioned that it wasn’t as cold as in previous days. It’s Thanksgiving weather,” he replied as the garbage truck began to roll away. We both wished each other a Happy Thanksgiving at the same time, a simple yet profound moment of shared humanity.

Cleaning the Paths in Hanson Park

Although almost a year has passed since I lost my New York Times, I picked it up and placed it in my mailbox. Once I locked the mailbox, I started my Apple Watch and headed through downtown Cranford. As I descended from the westbound train track and exited on the station’s south side, a train worker informed me that there were no trains to Newark due to track work. I thanked him and explained that I was walking. Wow, you inspire me,” he exclaimed. I waved to him and replied that I was trying to get my steps in.

As I crossed South Avenue, I realized I had some time to spare and could use the exercise, so I decided to walk the Mohawk Park–Hanson Park loop. I estimated the distance to be between seven and eight miles. Why have I started walking such long distances? I’m not training for a senior endurance event. However, today marks the 1,291st day since I buried my wife. Walking helps clear my mind, allowing me to think more clearly while promoting a healthier lifestyle. This mental clarity is a profound benefit of my daily morning walks.

As I left the roadways and walked through the wetlands, which were more like drylands due to the drought, I noticed that the Rahway River was lower and moving much more slowly than during my previous walks. When I first took this route, the ground was often damp and slippery, but the drought has taken its toll. In some areas, brown leaves covered the path so thickly that I had to slow down to avoid tripping over tree roots or stones. There is a chance of rain next week, marking the third occurrence since Labor Day. Climate change is real and alters the world faster than we can document.

As I headed north, I encountered several dog walkers with their pets off-leash. When I greeted them with a friendly, “Have a nice day,” I found that the humans seemed more startled than the dogs. Returning to the train station, I realized I had walked six miles since leaving. “You aren’t still walking, are you?” the train worker in his reflective vest asked. When I replied that I was, he said I inspired him. I quickly countered that he was the true inspiration for ensuring the trains ran on time. This was just one of my many interactions during my walk, each leaving a unique impression on me.

As I stepped into the lobby of my apartment building after walking 8.01 miles, I felt invigorated but hungry from burning 900 calories. Climbing the stairs with my newspaper in hand, I reflected on how it wasn’t just the distance I covered but the people I met along the way who inspired my daily walks. Though my “Have a nice day” may seem like words, loving our neighbors can make a genuine difference for myself and those I encounter. Love, the most powerful and transformative force in the universe, is our only hope for salvation.