Nature Walk
Once upon a time, I thought it might be a great idea to wake up and take a long, quiet walk by myself. Living in Washington state, I always thought this was the closest to paradise I had ever seen. The endless beauty of the lush green trees, dense foliage and crystal clear water made it too beautiful a sight to enjoy from indoors.
Since it was the weekend I figured my husband wouldn't mind staying with the kids for about half an hour while I strolled off by myself. I wanted to be as discreet as possible when I snuck away so the children wouldn't hear me leave, otherwise they'd want to go. I motioned to my husband that I was going and waited until the kids were distracted by their favorite television show. I went to the front door, pushed open the squeaky screen and tip toed softly down the steps. Whew! I was home free.
On the other side of the street was a foot path that led straight into a small forest. I crossed the street and started down the lane that twisted and turned through the tall, thick evergreens. I took a deep breath and filled my lungs with the sweet scent of pine. As I walked a little further, I noticed my breathing becoming more labored. I began to breathe faster; then the familiar wheezing began to take over. I knew I'd forgotten something. I had to go back and get my inhaler so I turned around and headed back to the house.
As I stepped up to the front door, I cautiously opened the screen. "Squeaaakk" it announced as I ran to the front closet and grabbed my inhaler from my purse. I could hear the children walking through the kitchen towards me. I threw open the screen and dashed down the steps. I didn't want to look back but I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder. I could see the baby's head just starting to appear over the back of the couch. The other kids were already assembled at the window with tears streaming down their faces. My daughter held her arms out to me and bounced up and down on the couch feverishly. My boys were crying "I wanna go with youuuu". I took a few good puffs from my inhaler and started off again across the street before my guilt could catch up to me.
Halfway through the trees I began to cough. and cough, AND COUGH! My skin began itching and my eyes began to water. I could tell that my allergies were not going to let me enjoy my walk unless I took an antihistamine. As I made my way back to the street, I could see the children still at the front window. I ran across the street and slithered along the side of the house like a ninja. Getting up to the door I could see my husband walking into the room, so I put my finger up to my lips and mouthed the word "shhh!" and motioned for him to get the kids back into the other room. He had this look of bewilderment on his face as I started to open the front door again. I got to my purse and grabbed my antihistamines. I wasn't going to chance getting a glass of water so I would just have to take them on the go. As I closed the door, I walked across the lawn and peered over my shoulder. There stood all the children lined up on the couch again like little ducklings, all crying and sobbing for me to take them. My husband stood at the door and I could have sworn he was crying too!
I began to really feel the tug of guilt, just leaving everyone like that. I thought I might just take a quick jog through the path and would come back early. It was already getting cooler. The sun was starting to disappear behind the mountains and I could feel the brisk air stinging my skin. I would probably need a jacket now. Should I go back? Dare I continue on with the wind kicking up? I decided if I were going to enjoy my nature walk, I would want to be comfortable. I opted to go back to the house one more time for my jacket.
As I approached the house, the kids were still standing at the window with tears streaming down their faces. Their cries grew louder the closer I got to the steps. My heart just melted. How could I leave them like that? I walked up to the door and they came bounding off the couch as if shot out of a cannon. "Mommy! Mommy! they all squealed, latching onto my legs. "Okay" I said, " you can come but you need to get your jackets and shoes on". It took me another fifteen minutes to find shoes and jackets and get everyone ready.
We all headed down the steps and as I looked back at my husband, there he stood at the window with a sandwich in hand, grinning from ear to ear. I muttered an obscenity as we all approached the forest hand in hand.
"Wait! Dina! Come back here! We're all gonna stick together. No Danny! Get that out of your mouth, that's icky! Cory! Put that stick down you're gonna put your eye out. Stop fighting Erin! You can BOTH have a pine cone."
The birds flew off in terror as I screamed and yelled at the baby to stay away from the stream. Deer bounded away in droves and hid amongst the thickets as my voice echoed deep into the forest, barking commands at the older kids. I don't know why, but at that very moment I wanted to go home, walk up to my husband and punch him right in the nose!
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