Norway to Newfoundland! This route, I quickly realized, was a subject in itself. It was the route the Vikings took when they set their clinker-built boats in the sea. I resolved to use the wanderings of these cranky, restless people as a rough travel itinerary, trekking the same gaunt cliffs they trekked, camping on the same wind-scudded skerries they camped on, breathing the same salubrious air. But I would play the occasional game of the travelers’s roulette, too. Since I couldn’t very well ship aboard the same boat as Erik the Red and his companions, I would ship aboard any boat I could find, even if it sailed somewhere off course. Also, between a fast boat and a slow boat, I would choose the slow boat. Between a slow boat and “walking”, I would choose the latter, as “walking”, makes the world the vast and savory place it used to be in the time long past… (“Last Places” 1990, by Lawrence Millman)
Dear Fellow Hikers,
I want to begin by clarifying something regarding last weeks letter A Bum Wheel… The entire letter was a metaphor that basically said (or at least was intended to say) that Dan’s body with a bum foot, is a classic, customized, personalized vehicle/truck/rig with a bum wheel. That said, it’s time to end the metaphor to share a couple things that are going to be impacted by my bum foot. I’ll spare you the details, but if you are interested, you can look back at last week's letter and follow the details of the bum wheel, which are essentially the same as my bum foot.**
Surgery is now scheduled for next week. It will replace a worn out tendon in my foot, that has caused a dysfunction/deformity of several of the bones in my foot. That dysfunction/deformity needs to be surgically repaired as well. The Doc is confident that when everything heals, I should be pretty much back to normal with a repaired, functional wheel. However in the meantime, I need to get some things in order at home in preparation for an extended period of time of limited mobility. I will also be pausing my weekly posting of our Friday Morning Life Hike Letters through the month of May. I intend to use that pause time to assess and evaluate our first two seasons / six months of writing these letters. During that time I intend to share some of those thoughts, ideas and experiences in letters that will be unscheduled, probably quite random in topic, length and frequency. I want to keep our writer/reader relationship active as much as possible.
Body parts wearing out is a normal result of the body growing older. Again, I share my experiences of the aging process in order to help you take the time to consider your own stories. Even though I’ve experienced discomfort, inconvenience, frustration, etc. with my experiences… I want to be clear in the fact that I am so grateful to have support systems from professionals, family, friends and my faith communities. I also want to express that my chaplaincy experiences have shown me how small my situations are, when compared to the overwhelming medical injury and illness challenges and suffering so many people and families experience. I pray that all those who are able, are finding the time and the resources to ensure that no one has to go through the inevitable suffering in life… physical, mental and spiritual… alone. Life is sacred… treat it, and those in need with care!
And now I will close with reference to the best quote (above) I’ve ever heard about the wonder and sanctity of walking… it stirs my soul to read those words about my ancestors in the context of their travels. (And my favorite part indeed bears repeating…)
Also, between a fast boat and a slow boat, I would choose the slow boat. Between a slow boat and “walking”, I would choose the latter, as “walking”, makes the world the vast and savory place it used to be in the time long past…
With Care and Gratitude, Dan
Postscript…
Re: **the same as my bum foot… I wasn’t sure if the metaphor format was a good idea or not. But for what it’s worth, is was really fun for me to write… so I thank you for indulging me by reading Dan writing for fun!
Next Up: We’ll see what I will randomly come up with to write, with no particular schedule nor agenda, over the next few weeks!