I’ve been walking in the morning for almost as long as I remember. It all started with a dog that we got when I was around 14 years old. And that was really a long time ago! It was way back in the early ’70s when my father’s old boss Col. Subramaniam foisted the Folly of his pedigreed Retriever on an unsuspecting family returning home from a summer vacation. It was the last day of our road trip and we fell in love with the tiny little puppies surrounding the magnificent golden Retriever who was basking in her newfound motherhood.  The Col was most protective of his dog having lost his grown up daughter to a mysterious sudden viral attack and the  subsequent  dissolution of his family when his wife ran off with her young son’s best friend and was quite shocked to find that his beloved Retriever actually fell for the charms of the neighbourhood hound. And once the puppies came along, the Col wanted nothing better than to put them in good homes so when we landed up for dinner, tired and longing to go home, he caught us at our vulnerable best . It is hard to resist a puppy dog and his eyes so it was easy for the Col to palm off the pup as a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Black Labrador.

So that is how I began my morning walk as it was my duty to walk the dog before and after school. I also began an after dinner walk but that vanished with the dog and the only walk I do after dinner is the slow shuffle to my bed!

But morning walks are quite addictive and the best way to seize the day. Obviously I’m not the only one who thinks so as there are literally hundreds of people out there pounding the streets, walking the parks or just going round and round in circles in the compound or on a terrace. You find people walking with dogs, walking with friends or now walking with Walkmen, iPods and other means of entertainment.  There are regular morning walkers with regular gangs , groups of men discussing Stocks & Shares, people chanting shlokas and mantras, others sharing tips on weightless, health issues, child rearing, living with inlaws , dealing with bosses or just basically having a good old healthy bit of gossip.

Depending on my mood and the time on hand, I walk at the Race Course, down Marine Drive, at Priyadarshini Park, in my compound, down Kay’s lane, up Altamount Road, on Malabar Hill, down Nana’s chock past Mahalakshmi, down Breach Candy or even up and down my living room when sleep deserts me before the crack of dawn.

Today was a special walk because Hubby Dear drove for the first time after s TIA. Now for all those who’ve had a TIA it may come as a shock to learn that what you’ve gone through is nothing compared to those who’ve seen you through it. The shock of seeing someone actually suffer an attack is fleeting while taking care of the person is long term. Taking care of the physical needs and medical needs is easy enough what is really difficult is making lifestyle changes. After all in most cases it is bad lifestyle choices that bring upon the attack in the first place.

And what is more difficult is trying to be caring and loving and gentle and kind and patient and strict and indulgent and encouraging and restraining and……….the list is almost endless. I also know that patient care for all convalescents is tough for the care giver……. So you will understand that going for a morning walk as I did today , is a milestone that makes each step even longer!

As we walked down Marine Drive this morning, with a stiff ,crisp  breeze blowing gently, the sea still covered with misty haze, amidst people pounding the pavements with determination and ease, avoiding dogs that trained at the leash, walking out of the way of children roller blading and cycling I felt a burden lifting slowly from my head. I realised how wonderful it was to be alive and to keep in step with the world!