The Walk

In Santa Monica, growing up, I walked to school. Roosevelt, it was only about 3 long blocks from my house, but it felt like a very long way. I walked by myself, although I'm guessing my brothers were there sometimes. I just don't remember them.

Because when I walked, I looked down at all the cracks in the sidewalk, and certain bushes we passed along backyard fences. I didn't think at all about the history of people's houses, or who lived where, my mind wasn't clogged with all the adult busy-ness and loud strutting it likes to do now. It was quiet in there.

When I was 8 and I walked I was pretending I was leading my horse behind me. It was too hard to pretend to be riding a horse (required a silly walk) so I was always holding a lead rope, and my horse was just right behind me following along.

This year I am 50. I was walking Lilly up to school, on the path she will remember as the long walk to her school. I was thinking about how in the mornings after I drop Lilly, I go home, and if I'm not working, I get Dewey, and walk back up to the park. Up the same path.

Same little girl. Walking up to school, about a half hour from where I grew up, not near the beach now, but out near the mountains. In a valley. I'm walking up to school and this time I really do have a horse following behind me. Just like I wanted.