Shadow walk

Having slept well last night, I awakened early this morning and after my prayer time, I decided to go for a walk.

For numerous reasons, I haven't been taking my morning meditation walks. Yet, today I knew it was a strong enough call to be outside than the worry about whether or not my knee would endure it. I put on two elastic bandage wraps to give my left knee and my right ankle the added support it would require and off I went.

On this glorious spring morning here in Chico, I felt keenly aware of my being.
I was omnipresent with all the physical, intellectual and spiritual aspects of who I was moving through the air and on top of the cement. I even took a modified route so that I was not walking by rote and could be open to the possibilities around me.

There a lot more bicyclists in this town than in San Diego or Los Angeles. People ride bikes here for pleasure and purpose. I pondered the idea of getting a bike. Bikes these days are so cool! The colors and designs are very desirable. Pink? Yellow to match Miss Daisy or my favorite green? Would I get a basket, too? As I watched a bunch of young people riding past me on their way to school, then I realized that if I have to wear one of those Styrofoam laden helmets I would probably not ride my bike as much as I wanted. A moment of disappointment until I saw a few adults riding their bikes and they weren't wearing helmets. Maybe I could get away without wearing a helmet for the rare pleasure rides I would take around town. After all, most Chicoans that I see driving in their cars rarely use their cell phone headsets either.

As I turned up one new block, my ears were called to the delightful sound of typewriter keys. Someone inside the house up ahead was actually using a typewriter and not a computer keyboard. There is a distinct difference in sound (and experience) and I relished the nostalgic aural treat.

Being that I had not been doing my daily walks, I didn't want to walk too long or too hard so I headed back towards home after twenty minutes. As I turned up the street where we live, I could see The Dude aka Mr. Liebowski, Linus the Cat grooming himself on his driveway. I had not seen him as I left for my walk because the sprinklers had been on at his house. Although the sidewalk was wet, Linus was now outside at his post. I began to connect with him in thought pictures (this is the key method of animal communication) to let him know I was coming. Sure enough, he stopped in mid-groom, turned around and saw me. He sat upright but didn't come padding towards me as he normally would and I knew it was because he was choosing to not walk on the very wet pavement.

Once I got past the wet, he got up and came over to me and we had our usual lovefest. These days I am adding more into our time together because Don and I learned that Linus and his family are moving at the end of the month and I am going to miss him something awful.

When I stood up to continue my way home, I noticed how the light was such that I could walk and see the shadow of my self walking--almost looming-ahead of me. I took note of the shape and outline of my body, the way my sweatshirt hung, my unkempt hair and my arms swinging.
I wondered if at any second I would see The Dude's shadow as he was trotting to catch up alongside me. Sure enough, his round feline shadow began to precede him and I knew he was tagging along to escort me home (and to court Belle from her window perch).

As a kid, I was fascinated by shadows made by forms and light. As an adult, I began to perceive different shadows more along the lines of emotions, energies and metaphors. I think both have a place in our lives.

Just ask Peter Pan.