The Fast Walkers

Growing up, my family lived on the corner of a busy road, Hess Lane, in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.  The sidewalk across the street was busy with folks walking here and there.  One woman, in particular, was seen frequently.  She stood out because she was far faster than everyone else.  She always was alone.  We called her, "Fast Lady Walker."  If someone would happen to spot her, we'd announce, "Oh, there's Fast Lady Walker."  And we'd all look out the window. That was in the days before walking for health.

There is another category of fast walkers: those who can't or won't slow down so they and their companions can walk together.  Now there are those cultures in which the woman always has to walk behind the man but we are talking about America, Third Millennium.  Either you want to walk WITH someone or you don't!  Why should many men just walk ahead and make NO effort to match the pace of the woman they're with?  The ordinary woman would soon get out of breath trying to keep up with the ordinary man.

Students of relationships, beware of the man who is so preoccupied with himself that he just can't take a leisurely pace when walking with his wife/girlfriend!  If he can't or won't stay with you, perhaps he just needs to walk alone! (forever!)

Another 'walking' story, while we're on the subject: in that same house, the city bus stopped on our corner.  This was in the early 1950's.  My dad, Reuben, still in the U.S. Army, had a (Yankee) buddy visiting him in our living room.  It had a clear view of Hess Lane.  They were just chatting about us 'barefoot Kentuckians,' a label which we have endured probably since Daniel Boone ran through the virgin forests of the land of Kentucky.  At that moment in their conversation, a city bus stopped at the corner.  Dad's buddy proposed, "I'll bet that whoever comes off that bus is barefoot."

A woman stepped off the bus.  Unbelievably, she pulled off her shoes and was BAREFOOT!  She walked down the street, carrying her shoes, and the bus left.  Of course, that never happened before or since then!  None of us ever forgot the incident.

Right now, I'm going to walk to my boxes of Christmas decorations and finish fixing up the house for Christmas.  Let's prepare our homes and our hearts for Our Savior's birth this Christmas.  Even if you live alone, find some bit of decoration, a little Christmas tree or anything, to make your home festive!  We know God loves us. . .let's show it!