On Walking

Sarala with her grandparents September 1961

I took another walk today and found 32 cents (a quarter, a nickel and two pennies). Added to yesterday’s 3 cents, I feel rich.
The walks reminded me of my grandfather. When he was in his 50’s and I was still in grade school, he had a massive heart attack. After his recovery, his doctor told him to walk daily which he took seriously. He walked for around a mile a day for the rest of his life. I believe the doctor’s recommendation worked for my grandfather for he lived for at least 20 more years in pretty good shape before he at last died of congestive heart failure.


Probably mid 1970's

My grandfather and I used to walk together on his morning rounds. He walked at a brisk pace and knew exactly how far he needed to go. We toured the mural on the local “wash”—a sort of concrete river they built in LA to control the occasional water run off. We visited the neighbor’s vicious monkey named Kong. He was fun to look at but bit so we were wary of getting too close. And we found stuff.
It was a casual competition we had going. My grandfather would seem quite proud of me if I found money or any other valuables. He used to teasingly call me “eagle eyes” when I found something good. In his years of walking he found a fair bit of cash and the occasional bit of jewelry. Once he found a gold coin.
Walking today with my found change in my purse I felt he would be congratulating me. Of course, if he knew how little a penny bought nowadays he’d be turning over in his grave.