I took a bike ride this evening on my trusty mountain bike. My path was the Cherry Creek Trail in Douglas County. It always provides a nice ride – up-hill and against the wind – both directions. So, it makes for a good workout. Besides, other bike riders, joggers (they are actually runners, I think? – I’m a jogger.), and walkers, I often get a glimpse of a myriad of wildlife along the way.
It must be too early in the season to see the herons that nest in the Cherry Creek Open Space. And, I did not see any of the coyotes that maraud the bordering neighborhoods. But I did see a young mule deer, a garter snake on the path, ducks, geese and those rattling redwing blackbirds in the C-470 constructed wetland.
It was the wildlife that I saw on my return trip, about a mile from home, that made me stop to ponder deeper thoughts. Or maybe it was just that I was pretty much exhausted from my 80-minute bike ride that makes my mind wander and wonder about the things I see.
What I saw was not really wild. But it was life! Perhaps closer to what life is supposed to be about than the things that captivate most of our time, money and energy.
I came upon two sets of couples walking along the trail. The two pairs were separated by about 50 yards. The first pair was in their late 20’s, maybe early 30’s. They were strolling along the path hand-in- hand, conversing as they walked. Reacting as most people do, they were a bit irritated that a biker was using the path. I do have a bell that I use 30 to 40 feet in advance to warn of my approach. I think most of their irritation is that it’s just my bike bell and not the ice cream truck. I do think my bell is a much more polite and safe system than the one used by bikers who come up behind you and yell, “on your left” when they are but 10 feet behind you. I digress!
The second couple was also walking hand-in-hand. They were much older – at least in their 60’s or 70’s. They both had grey hair, walked much slower, and the lady had to pull her husband closer to her and to the right side of the path when I rang my bell (he did not seem to hear it – it is a loud bell).
As I finished my ride, I could not help to wonder, if the first couple would be walking hand-in-hand in 25 to 30 years from now. That kind of love and commitment seems to be rare these days and on the endangered list.
As one-half of one of those “older” couples, I am happy to report that the life-commitment one makes in those early years can (and most often does) BLOSSOM with age. When my husband and I walk along life’s paths these days, we have multitudes of memories to share–tough ones and gleeful ones. But the MOST important thing is…we are still SHARING.
This is the season of New Beginnings as we remember the recent Easter Celebrations of God’s PROMISE of Life Eternal…in His Presence. How joyous those “walks” will be…through His Perfect gardens.
By: royalene on April 20, 2010
at 6:17 pm