Dreamy and I have just returned from a holiday in Victoria, Australia. This was part of my 60th gift to myself. While we were away, we enjoyed walking in a different part of the country.
We spent three days at Halls Gap which sits in the Grampians, a national park. Our accommodation was nestled amongst trees. In the mornings kookaburras could be heard laughing and kangaroos and wallabies grazed nearby. Next, we spent five days at Daylesford, a small holiday town in central Victoria. The accommodation here was also nestled in nature including kookaburras and kangaroos. The town is surrounded by natural forest and farms. Lake Daylesford is a man-made lake and very pretty to circle. We checked out the local shops and travelled to nearby parks where we walked. Listening to native birds, seeing native fauna and the scents of native flora send my heart into song.
We have returned home, and I am tired, sore, and happy. My life is not perfect, but I revel in what I do have. There were times while we were away the walking was not easy for me, so I used my walking sticks and boots to keep my balance and moved slowly. My legs hurt as I dodged tree roots, mounted large steps, and traversed paths that had deteriorated. My faithful mate, Dreamy walked gently beside me.
I have not seen another person like me walking in this type of terrain. But there is joy in the simple achievement of doing what I thought I could never do. There is freedom in doing a hard walk in nature that fills me with pleasure. Wearing different shoes causes a major adjustment to the way I walk; hence I suffer back and leg pain with every new pair. My back is permanently damaged, and I have knock knees from obesity. Despite the cards that life has dealt me, I have managed to limit further damage to my body by choosing a different life. So far, I have managed to change the expression of my genetics to keep my health for longer.
So, I am celebrating my life. I am grateful for those who have helped me live a fulfilling life. Thank you to all those who find inspiration in my story and encourage me by telling me so.
In love, Jenny
