the cakewalkers

my younger sister moved from the southeast (where we grew up) to the los angeles, california area about a year ago. she got married to a great guy and he just happened to live about 3000 miles away from our family. the change definitely fits her; it wasn’t surprising to me at all that her life would lead her away from familiarity. she’s very adventurous and loves being in different places.

since they are newlyweds, they do not yet have any little ones. her husband is an entrepreneur and runs a few of his own businesses, so her job is primarily to help him out. in other words, she does not go to an office every day. this, again, totally fits who she was made to be: free to do as she pleases when she pleases.

a new habit she has formed since moving is walking. I do mean WALKING – anywhere from 5 to 10 miles five or six times a week. . . up into the hills around her home. These are the kind of hills where you have to look up in order to see the road in front of you. She loves to bake anything and everything completely from scratch, and her walking habit keeps her body from reflecting her sweet tooth.

a few months ago we decided to do a breast cancer 3-day walk. we will be participating in a 60-mile walk over the course of 3 days in a city neither of us has ever visited. (our team name is the cakewalkers) since we have committed to this walk, I have increased my walking distances and workout schedule. This week I have walked 23 miles total. I feel really great and I’m learning so much about my body and its limits.

This all came at a good time for me. I recently lost about 35 pounds, finally, after a few years of ups and downs. I have some more weight to lose before I will be satisfied (and within the normal weight range for my height) and this intense walking really has helped me get over the hump of a few weight plateaus.

The best part about all of this walking, though, isn’t the physical benefits. It’s the connection I feel to my sister who is so far away. We are very different. . . like two sides of a coin. As her life has taken on a path similar to mine (married, involved in church, not working a “normal” job) we have found ourselves with more to share with each other. when I am walking I am often thinking of sharing with her my newest route and talking about the shoes I am trying out.

who knew that a habit like obsessive walking could bridge a 3000 mile separation? I do wish that her house was along my route and we could walk together every day, but if she can’t be here at least we’re both pounding the pavement and sharing our stories later. I love you, PCPC!

I am going to begin a blog series soon about the body. after all of this weight loss and body changes, I am intrigued by the vessel my God created. hopefully I can get on a more regular posting schedule soon and get this series going. I’ve been really inspired so far with the writing I’ve done and the scripture I have found.