straight and narrow...

It was always three of my steps to keep up with one of my dads when we walked.  It wasn't that simple of an equation though.  We occasionally would be at the same sidewalk square, as we walked at our individual paces, then before you know it, he was a square ahead and I would have to super shuffle my navy zips six times my normal speed just to catch up.  This would happen over and over and over in the single journey.  I would stare at the backs of his Birkenstock treaded feet and reach for his hand when I was coming in for the landing, like a boat pulling into the floating dock. Conversations were had simultaneous to the yo-yo motions without a pause, almost with the fluidity of a Whee-lo (google it).  I never was the kid who wandered off and on the same course as my dad stayed straight on, like the little kids in Family Circus.  Just two steps behind—then three—then four………catch up…..

 

I have always wanted to stay on course and always try to keep up.  It takes a tremendous amount of energy to concentrate constantly on what and where you want to be, that sometimes, you miss out on all the things you are.  I do wonder what if I had wandered?

You can plan, expect, or demand, but at this point, I'd prefer to wander…hopefully it's not too late.