The Morning Walk....

This is how I start my day....everyday.

It has been happening for many, many years.

The Morning Walk has become a bit of a ritual for me. It keeps me sane.

I began The Morning Walk, when I moved here several years ago. I walked before I had children, while I was pregnant, and after each one was born. Many mornings I bundled a baby for The Morning Walk. When The Darlings were small, The Farmer thought I should have a jogging stroller, so the walk would be a little easier. So for a few years, that stroller was part of The Morning Walk.

We have laughed, we have cried, we have shared our deepest worries and our greatest joys, on The Morning Walk.

Although this all began in the name of exercise, it has done so much more for me through the years. A brisk walk in the fresh morning air is the perfect start to the day. Somehow things are more manageable after The Morning Walk.

A permanant fixture on this walk has always been our dogs. Our family (extended) loves dogs.

Our dogs....LOVE.....The Morning Walk too.

I can hear them, about the time the sun comes up, anxious to get out on the walk.

Yesterday, as we began The Walk, The Farmer's Mother shared the events of the night before,

when her beloved Lucy dog, passed away. She has had that dog since The Farmer's Father died 15 years ago. This wennine dog has been a member of this family for a long time.

A funeral was held, the grandkids attended, they all paid tribute to this dog, (who

had bitten all of them atleast once), who had been a loyal companion to The Farmer's Mother during some hard times. She said, to her it was the end of an era.

I remember hearing cousin Cathy talk about her years of walking, the miles that were covered and the friendships that were made on those walks. We often run into other cousins while we walk. We miss them when they are gone....like right now;)

For me, what started as a form of physical exercise has ended up as exercise for my soul.

Dear Walking Partners....

Thank you for lending an ear,

sheding and occasional tear,

offering words of encouragement,

thanks for making me walk a little faster....

and thanks for just getting up!

I do love you both!

Also discovered on the morning walk, were the new peach blossoms of this season.

They were beautiful!

(I thought I should add the names of the dogs....it will be fun to remember....)

My dogs....White German Shepherds...

Boss(the Dad)

Bolt and Bridget

Grandma C.'s dogs - Weinnie Dogs....

Lulu and Mimi

Aunt S.'s dogs - Golden Retiever and a Weinnie..

Bently and Fisher...

Peneolpe....a.k.a. Penny