Yesterday morning, I took my normal morning walk a little later than usual. The music was flowing out of my headphones and I was moving along at a pretty brisk pace. Just ahead of me was an older gentleman, out for his morning walk, carrying a cane just in case he may need a little help on his travels. The pace I kept was just a bit faster than his so in time I caught up with him. First, I cleared my throat to create a little noise so he would not be startled when I came up along side of him. When he turned, I apologized if I had startled him, and he kindly said thank you.
At first, I was going to keep my pace and pass him, but then he said, "Do you walk here much?" So I answered, "Yes, a few times a week." He explained that he was hoping the walk would strengthen his back, so he committed to walk as much as possible. The questions kept coming. He was kind, gentle and almost seemed glad for someone to chat with while he pressed himself to walk this 3 mile treck. I got to know a little about him, how he recently had to place his beloved wife in a nursing home, which explained his desire for a little conversation. He told me that he served in the military and retired from 35 years of service at the Post Office. We talked about family that lived close by and he gave me a little grandfatherly wisdom concerning the path to success from his viewpoint. Never pushy, just very kind.
I felt like I had taken a walk with my Grampy. Anyone who knows me, knows that my Grampy means the world to me. It's been a couple of years since I've been able to visit him, so this little walk with a stranger seemed to be a blessing that Jesus taylor made for me. It is a reminder to me to not get so busy that I "forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:2.
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