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It felt like freedom. Today, for the first time in over a week, I managed to walk further than the letterbox, outside our house. With great determination and fortitude, whipped on by desperation and frustration, I harnessed the girls and headed out, into the snowy wastes. And it felt terrific. Okay, my ankle was a bit sore on the way back but still.
The dogs were free to wander on their own, which, given my total lack of speed was much appreciated, though Emma did keep running back to make sure I was okay. This made me wonder whether she ran back to the house the other day because she was worried about me rather than for any other reason.
Fortunately, the path through the woods had been cleared and gritted, making it nice and flat. The thing is, my ankle hurts when the ground is uneven. Annoying but true. Obviously, this will go as well. In time.
Just being outside and seeing people was brilliant. Okay, not many people but still…
There was a group of four boys coming home from school. It looked like footage from a movie like Stand By Me, as they trundled down the snow covered mountain bike track, sliding on their arses and enjoying themselves immensely.
There was also a couple with a dog, and a baby containing stroller. The man was holding the dog that was almost too strong for him. The moment the dog (clearly a giant puppy) saw the girls, it was on its back legs trying to get to them. I don’t think it wanted to eat them, rather, just play. Still, the man was only just holding on. The woman with the stroller gave me a sorry kind of glance. The baby gurgled with joy.
I also passed two women on the road but, beyond cheerful greetings as we passed each other, that was it.
But it was all enough to make me feel a part of life again.
I may have only reached as far as the second bench but I made it there and back and felt almost human.
Of course, when I reached the house, I collapsed onto the lounge for a bit but that didn’t take anything away from, what I considered, a wonderful achievement.
Stalker report
North Bergen managed 62 views today.
