Mandy woke this morning to a darkness unlike the summer’s rays that normally beamed through her window.
She enjoyed the outdoors, living in a rural area afforded her the luxury of skipping the dark, black-out curtains so many of the city residents had. Instead Mandy had a single sheer pale beige curtain covering the window that normally poured light into her room. Privacy was a luxury that most didn’t have, but deep in the forest, Mandy’s house was far from prying eyes.
She threw her feet over the bed, tossing the thick comforter to the side.
Today is special. She could feel it in her soul.
She got up, and took her time getting ready. It was Saturday, and everyone else in the house was still asleep. Mandy’s room was across the house from the others, with her own bathroom so she didn’t worry about waking anyone.
It had only been a week since she started this early morning routine. Alternating her days of the week with strength training or cardio activities, Mandy was hoping to not just get in shape, but ultimately get back her self-confidence, but she didn’t want to think about that loss right now. Instead, she pulled on her gym shorts, and a sweatshirt, noting the cooler temperatures outside, and slipped quietly out the front door.
It was the weekend, and Mandy had all day to fit her cardio in, but she preferred to stick to the schedule she did during the week. Getting up before dawn, when the light was low and the sounds of nature lulled her into a routine, was soothing.
Mandy begin her walk slowly, increasing speed, until she reached a comfortable pace, one that afforded her a little workout for not just her joints, but her heart. As difficult as it was to rise each day for this new structured path, Mandy knew there was nothing better than being outside in autumn.
Today’s path included several trails on her property. She knew if she walked them all, she could get a minimum of a mile done in just one pass through. Mandy walked quickly through the darker, misty paths in the deep woods, and slowed her pace significantly when she hit the open field.
She had a lot on her mind, and ultimately sorted a lot of things in her life out by taking these walks. A rough snort came from the woods to her left, and Mandy gave a wide berth to what she hoped was just a disturbed buck. Hunting season was just around the corner, and soon Mandy would either have to give up her walks, opting for a cardio workout in the garage, or wear bright orange vests everywhere she went.
Mandy let her thoughts drift over her past. When you’ve been through as much as she has, she knew it was not uncommon to focus on the negative, however today was different. It was special. She knew it from the moment she first woke up. Mandy was no longer afraid of her past.
She wouldn’t let it define her anymore. She was older. She was wiser. She had persevered against odds that were certainly stacked against her. Mandy, for the first time in years, felt free.
She no longer would be held back. She had a future to look forward to. She had no idea what was in store, but she was ready. Her head was held high as she continued her walk. She was on her second pass through the trails, already, but Mandy paused as she re-entered the field for the second time. She looked out over the tall grasses on her right, the morning mist skimming over the tips of the grass like pillows of small clouds on the earth. On her left was the forest she just left, the tips of the trees changing into the brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges that signify the change from summer to winter.
It was magic. This moment. This feeling. Early in the morning, nothing to interfere with nature’s healing touch, Mandy finally felt like she was home.
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