Walking Cures Everything?

D and I went out for a walk last night. It was just a beautiful summer night to be out. And the fact that I was with D, made it even more. A unfortunately, retired early. Quite unlike her. She didn’t eat anything at dinner time, whined a bit and in no time was out.

D had a pretty rough evening-usual misbehaving, not listening and retorting back to his dad. He got yelled at, cried his guts out while taking a bath, reluctantly finished what was on his dinner plate. After all this stress, stepping out for a quick jaunt seemed like the best thing to do. As soon as I mentioned ‘walk’, he hurriedly got his mini key ring flash light because ‘he wanted to be the leader and show me the path', all set to go.

We went about the neighborhood – mother and son, holding hands, counting steps, watching the almost full moon light up the clear dark skies. The air was pleasantly warm and there was a light breeze. D was chatty. He talked nineteen to the dozen. He narrated everything he did at his day care, how excited he was about the magic show this week, who his favorite friends are, what he likes and dislikes at school, all the while ‘leading’ the way with his flashlight.

It was a short walk, maybe about 10 minutes but it was worth every single minute. I always ask D how his day was as soon as I get home but I seldom bother about the details. And it always seems rushed. Hearing him share those details on the walk was a revelation of sorts. Of how much he has grown, his thoughts on different things that matter to him, his perspective in general was somewhat of a reflection of who is becoming, a peek into his inner self. It was just precious.

The walk not only calmed him down after the tantrum filled evening but also made him ready for bed because as soon as we got home, he was all set to call it a day. This is something we struggle with every evening. He has issues going to bed on time. He prefers to hang around with us no matter how late it is. And last night, I couldn’t be more thankful and relieved when he said, “Mama, I am going to bed!” You should have seen me- I was grinning ear to ear, like a jubilant victor who won a thousand battles.

Are we going for a walk tonight? Heck ya!!!