Although it is essential to forget the ‘past’ and only live in the ‘today’ – I am now working on a new ‘future’ because that is how we plan our dreams and goals. 

Our gains and losses from yesterday and the fact that we may not be here tomorrow makes it critical to have realistic and achievable goals for today.

I remember what an aging sailor from Twillingate, Newfoundland, once told me about aging as he pointed his finger at the planks on the side of his fishing boat: 

When I was young like you – I used to piss up several planks, but now I piss on me boots!

An Aging Sailor

Overcoming Obstacles in Life

One of the ladies I once walked with has been blind since birth and has never experienced a beautiful sunset or different colors; it shocked me when she told me that she cycles with a bike club and plays an instrument in the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra.

And I remember Mary’s beautiful smile – that warmed my heart.

I have not seen her since that walk on the seawall with the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club, but I will never forget the lesson I learned about overcoming obstacles in life.

As I lay in bed the other night, feeling sorry for myself because of my ongoing struggles with health, my eyes filled with tears, and my spirit felt defeated.

I am not ashamed to admit to crying or feeling sorry for myself because, within minutes, my sorrow became optimism.

After all, you cannot win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket!

So, here is my plan.

When my walking club has an event at a venue without hills or trails, I will walk with them using my walker.

I might not be able to go very far at first, so instead of measuring my walk in KMs, I will use the total number of steps walked.

That way, I can work up to walking 5 KM.

But I do not expect or want an able-bodied member to walk with me – because I don’t mind walking alone.

I plan to write updates on this website that will, hopefully, attract other physically challenged people with ‘walkers’ to join the club to walk with me.

However, I have not asked for the club’s permission yet – but knowing Doug Jackson, the club president, and the members, it should not be a problem.

By the way, I wish you could see the smile on my face as I wrote this short story about my new dream.

I am motivated and up for the challenge.

The journey of a hundred miles begins with one step!

Meanwhile, I will take my first practice walk on the pier in White Rock today.

Maybe, I’ll wear a sexy, thong bathing suit. LOL.

UPDATE: Saturday, May 27th

I had gone shopping, used a shopping cart as my walker, and felt steady on my legs.

After I got home and had some nutrition shakes, I went to the beach area of White Rock, which is several blocks from my apartment building.

But I did not anticipate the lack of parking near the pier area and had to park at the most western lot, which is called West Beach.

It is where the Promenade begins, and it’s quite a ways to the pier – so I knew I wouldn’t be able to walk all that way and do the pier, too.

So, I got my walker out of the trunk of the white shark and posed for some photos that my date was kind enough to take of me.

However, she never prompted me by saying, “Cheese!”

So, I am not smiling in any of the photos on this slide show:

But hopefully, it was the first step of many to come…

If the Vancouver Venturers Walking Club allows me to walk with my walker…

But I won’t tell them about the Depends I am wearing!

UPDATE: Sunday, May 28th – 9:05 AM

I got up at 3:30 AM and played Texas Hold ’em Poker online until dawn, and then I prepared a plate of food for Holly Golightly, my dog.

When I stepped outside to feed the birds on my balcony, it was pretty cold (like winter)!

So, I dressed warmly and even brought gloves as I headed for my second walk on the promenade.

After parking the white shark, I began my walk from West Beach toward the famous pier.

About halfway to the pier, I asked a passerby if she would take some photos of me with my camera.

She initially had difficulty understanding my voice but said she did not own a cell phone or know how to use one.

I explained how to take the photo and pointed at the button to place on the screen for her to press.

I told her to repeatedly hit the button as I changed my position and facial expressions.

I also thanked her and asked for her first name to mention her in my story.

It is Donna, and I am pleased to be a help.

Donna (an Angel)

We spent a few minutes talking, and then I continued my walk.

I made it to the pier and decided I lacked the energy to walk it.

But it was too cold anyway.

So, instead, I took some photos of the pier and, along my way, back to the West Beach parking lot.

And despite my warm clothing and gloves – I almost froze!

When I returned to my place, I had to run my hands under warm water to restore them to normal.

However, when I began downloading the photos from my camera – none of Donna’s photos appeared.

But that’s okay – because I now have another gal pal named Donna!

Maybe, we’ll see each other during my future walks on the promenade, and I’ll take a selfie of us to include in this story.

Here is a short slide show of the photos I took this morning:

I am proud of myself because I walked a total of 3,108 steps!

Tomorrow, I’ll try to include the pier in my walk!

UPDATE: Monday, May 29th – 3:45 PM

I walked this morning at 7:05 AM and did the promenade and the pier for a total of 5,815 steps.

It was very cold (13 degrees Celsius), but I was dressed warmly.

A few passersby took photos of me, and I took a few. I did not see Donna, the lady I met yesterday, but the cold weather seemed to scare many people from walking today.

Here’s a slideshow of today’s walk:

Although I was happy that I could walk that far – I was thoroughly exhausted and had to lie down when I got home.

After I saw my doctor in the late morning, I returned home and went back to bed.

As usual, I overdid it. But I think the fresh ocean air was also a reason for my tiredness. However, it is great to walk outside each day – so I’m not complaining.

But for now, I decided only to walk 3,000-4500 steps daily, monitor how I feel after a week, and adjust the distance of my walks accordingly.

I am looking forward to walking with the Venturers Walking Club soon.

Happy Memorial Day to my many friends and readers south of the border.

Dedicated to friendly passersby!

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

Hugs,

Danny

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

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Songwriters: Charles Chaplin / Geoffrey Parsons / John Turner
Smile lyrics © DistroKid, Tramore

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