Some Dreams Are Realized

When I was 7+ months pregnant with Nathan and had stopped running, I walked 6+ miles/day. During the week, I would walk after work. On the weekends, I would walk for a good 2 hours or so. Obsessive? Why, yes. But I swear it paid dividends during and after birth.

While walking, I would listen to books on tape and I would dream about life with a baby, then life with a little boy, then life with a little older child. Some of those dreams included having my son ride his bicycle beside me while I ran. We could go anywhere, do anything and we would be doing it under our own power and it would be fun and athletic.

Nathan started riding his bicycle without training wheels last September. We have run / ridden a few times together, but have always left Jocelyn at home with W. Saturday, we ventured out at 9 a.m. We were headed to the park - the entire family - when W changed gears (figuratively) and decided to start preparing early for the neighborhood picnic that was to occur later that day. So, J, N and I headed out and changed our plans as well.

I had propitiously brought $20, but no water, no milk, no snacks. We headed to Borders. 1.5 mi later and about 20 min later, we arrived, split a doughnut three ways, bought a book for each child, then headed home.

On Sunday, we needed some fresh green beans and milk, so we headed to Whole Foods, about 1.25 mi away. We loaded up like yesterday. I pushed J in the stroller, N and W rode bikes. There is limited cargo space in the stroller, but we just barely had room. My return trip home was a bit more difficult, given the gallon of milk, loaf of bread, etc.

I went through an entire weekend without having to drive my car. My kids learned that running errands can also be fun and a good way to exercise.

I feel quite empowered.