Healing Time

 Healing Time

 Let’s Go Out for a Walk

 Let’s go out for a walk is the opposite of take a hike. Walking is often seen as important healthy physical activity. But there’s much more to this invitation. Go out is a call to drop everything, leave your demanding life for a while. Take time for yourself. In the privacy of a new non-distracting environment you can gather your thoughts, settle down. The word, let’s, indicates company. Going out for a walk with someone, especially after a time of tension, is very symbolic. The side-by-side walk sends an undeniable physical sign––you’re so important to me that I’m taking time out of my life to be with you. Count on me. While a hug sends a message of support, a walk extends the time of togetherness. Issues may be explored in depth. What an opportunity for healing to start!

In my novel, Baggage burdens. walks together are frequently used as opportunities for intimacy and support.

Let’s Go Out for a Walk

Julie looks at Jill. She reaches out for her hand and holds it in hers. “The reason your grandmother hired the detective was to let you know your mother was very ill.” Julie lets the information sink in before continuing. “You see,” she pauses. ‘Your mother had cancer.”

Jill’s arm jerks back as if a mousetrap snapped. She runs outside through a blur of tears. She barely makes it out to her car. Images of her mother combing her hair as she sat on the stool, her mother telling her how beautiful she looked, her mother rushing Jill off to her room when her intoxicated father destroyed the peace all flash by.

Jill envisions the detective’s search as her mother’s voice calling for help, a call she ignored. Blame for abandoning her mother threatens to suck her into the ground like quicksand.

 After a moment’s delay Ann and Julie race after Jill. Once outside Julie touches Ann’s shoulder, slowing her down. “I think the rest of the story I have she should hear in private. It may help calm her down,” says Julie. As she approaches Jill, Julie lets her feet scrape the cement pad to announce her arrival. After standing near Jill for a few minutes listening to her trying to control her sobbing, Julie puts her arm around Jill’s shoulders and holds her.

When Jill regains control, she asks Julie, “Is that why Josey wanted you to find me?”

“Among other things,” answers Julie. “You’ve been gone for a long time. Josey and I thought you’d like to get caught up on family things.”

Jill nods.

“Now that we’ve connected there’ll be plenty of time for us to catch up. I think you’ve had enough news for a while.”

Jill nods.

“Like to go for a walk?”

Jill looks questioningly at Julie.

“Down the driveway, maybe along the service road to the highway. Josey says there’s nothing like a good walk to clear your head, unless it’s a walk with a friend.” Julie smiles.

“Sounds familiar.”

They walk a mile to the highway and back. With their arms around each other they stroll down the gravel driveway. Ann watches from a distance and waves to them. They respond.

Jill wraps her arms around herself as if a cool breeze blows through her light cotton T-shirt. ‘Wish I’d taken my sweater.’

Bill’s voice cuts into her deliberations. “Something else wrong?”

The question sounds more like a statement, a statement based on an observation.

“No.” After Jill answers she suspects Bill knows she isn’t being truthful. She regrets he can read her so easily.

A light touch on her shoulder stops her. She faces Bill. He nods ever so slightly as if to confirm his earlier observation.

Turning away, Jill says, “What makes you think so?”

Without hesitating, Bill says, “When we started our walk, you were in machine mode. You stared straight ahead ignoring everything around you. In the last block, you glanced at the squirrel scrambling up the tree, looked at the kids yelling in the yard. You even waved to the fellow watering his flowerbed. When we entered the park, you returned to machine mode.”

Jill nods. ‘No denying Bill’s observations.’ Not wanting to talk about being alone she searches for another topic.

“Remember I said being limited to the hospital grounds was like being in a kind of prison?” She continues her walk.

Bill nods.

“Being home is only a little better. If I want to go anywhere I have to rely on a cab.”

“So-o-o. Call me. I’ll drive you anywhere you want.”

Jill looks at him to see if he is serious. She shakes her head. “Without a car I’m not free to book my physiotherapy appointments. And then in September I’ll have to have some way to get to work.”

“Then buy a new car, or at least a replacement car.”

 haiku capsule:                 

step out of turmoil     

walk with a listening friend

healing strategy

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