I recently sent an email to of my closest friends, and wanted to share it with my readers. But I didn’t ask them, “Are you ever tired of walking alone?

Because I used to enjoy walking alone at first, shortly after my cancer treatments ended in 2009/10.

They only gave me a 40% chance of surviving and I knew that I wanted to live because I am too stubborn to die without a fight.

So, I decided to begin walking every day – something I had seldom done before.

At first, I was only able to walk a short distance on the Promenade in White Rock (my favorite place) because I had lost so much weight and muscle during the painful radiation and chemotherapy sessions.

However, within a short period of time, I was averaging 3.5 miles per day (5.6 kms).

Within a couple of years, I got bored with walking alone and my daily walks became fewer.

But I heard from a friend in Ontario, who joined a walking club on Meetup, who found it a blessing!

So I joined Meetup and found the Surrey Trekkers, Vancouver Venturers, walking clubs in the Lower Mainland.

The clubs are part of Volkssport – a global community of associated clubs.

I also joined a Volkssport club in Bellingham, Washington, a year later.

It was the best thing I did for my health and happiness – both of which improved significantly.

Maybe, it was the excitement of receiving my recent headshots from Kevin Clark Studios – and I am still excited and smiling about seeing Kevin and Tricia, my photographers since 2007.

But rather than make this a long story – I’ll do a copy and paste of the email to share with you.

Here is what I wrote to Doug Jackson, our club’s president, and Jerry Van Zuuk, the vice-president, in the email:

Hi everyone!

I can still not do much because of a lack of energy and spend most days at home editing my website and listening to music.  I had to cancel plans to see my adopted granddaughter Sannie twice this last month because I wasn’t feeling well enough for a visit. But it’s not every day, and I have good days and high spirits.

Last weekend, I went to Kevin Clark Studios and had my headshots done – and it was such a thrill to see Kevin and Tricia again.  We hugged, and I hadn’t been so happy in months!  I got copies of Kevin’s photos, and I now will go through the many photos (over a hundred) and choose some for my actor portfolio.  

Yes, that’s correct – I still want to continue pursuing parts in film/commercials and print – although they will be SOC (silent on camera) roles.  NEVER GIVE UP! 

I mentioned to Kevin that I planned to include him in a story I wanted to write about actors, salespeople, and photography.  

I told Kevin and Tricia about the Vancouver Venturers walking club because they both enjoy walking. 

Kevin walks at 5:00 AM every morning because his days are very busy.  But he says doing it alone gets boring (Tricia walks later in the day and on weekends). 

I explained that I used to walk daily for several years after my cancer treatments in 2009/10 and got bored walking alone, too. 

And then, I learned about the walking club, joined it several years ago, and highly recommend it to anyone. 

Where can you meet new friends, exercise, and see places in the Lower Mainland that you never knew existed – all for just $15/year? 

There is also a $1 fee for each walk – also a bargain!!

So, because they are such great longtime friends, I am gifting Kevin and Tricia with memberships to the club and will make the arrangements with Doug, our club president.

Holly is now basically deaf and almost blind – and has some difficulty – but she’s not in any pain and eats well. 

She’s on a number of medications that seem to be helping her, and we spend a lot of time together – two aging runts of the litter!

All the best! 

Take care. Laugh loud and often. And Never Give Up – Ever!

Hugs,

Danny

I sent an Interac to the club for the gift memberships (I had originally had the idea of providing gift club memberships as a recommended gift for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.).

Kevin and Tricia will enjoy walking with our walking club and the thousands of other clubs in the same global association – Volkssport Association.

I won’t be able to do a walk with them yet, but will ask Kevin to let me know when he/they plan to attend their first club walk and will meet him/them there at the start to introduce them to everybody!

So, if you are reading this short story anywhere in the world – you too, can join this wonderful club!

That’s all for today – I plan to post my new headshots when I finish deciding which ones to choose for my portfolio.

Dedicated to Kevin and Tricia Clark

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Sick of sleeping with the light on
Chasing shadows with the brokenhearted
Running out of fools to hide from
But you always see the truth

Yours is the hand that I hold
You’re all I need

Ooh, walk with me
I’m a million miles away from who I wanna be
Don’t give up on me
I know I’ve made mistakes, just promise that you’ll stay
Walk with me
And tell me that I’m never alone, never alone
Tell me, ’cause I’m tired of walking alone

And even though the road is so long
I know you’ll take me back to where it started
It seems as though I only go wrong
But you always see the truth

Yours is the hand that I hold (Mmm)
You’re all I need

Ooh, walk with me
I’m a million miles away from who I wanna be
Don’t give up on me (Don’t give up on me)
I know I’ve made mistakes, just promise that you’ll stay
Walk with me
And tell me that I’m never alone, never alone
Tell me, ’cause I’m tired of walking alone

Ooh, I will never break the storm without you
I will never ever face this world alone
You’re the only one that keeps me grounded
Promise me you’ll never let me walk alone, alone

Ooh, walk with me
I’m a million miles away from who I wanna be
Don’t give up on me
I know I’ve made mistakes, just promise that you’ll stay
Walk with me
And tell me that I’m never alone (I’m never alone), never alone
Tell me (Tell me, tell me), ’cause I’m tired of walking alone

Songwriters: Rachel Furner, Dan Goudie, Ash Milton, Måns Zelmerlöw & Andrew Jackson

Here’s a link to songs Danny is listening to now: Drowning in a Tub Full of Tunes