The image that music always played in my mind was the walking part. The pictures of children walking with their parents, some of them pushing and pulling carts was prevelent in my mind. But really, the walking part; as a child, I couldn't really relate to this. The average distance I walked was perhaps a quarter mile a day to and from elementary school. I'm sure I walked and ran more, but I don't have any memorable experiences. It wasn't until I was a teenager that I appreciated this song. I started to hike.

I started out by taking quick walks around the town where I lived. I could have very easily just hopped on my bike and pedaled around, it would have assisted somewhat by buildingbup leg muscles; it's not the same as actual walking. As I gained confidence and experience, I took longer hikes; many times around a local lake. The land around the lake varied with flat and hilly terrain. The path was well marked with tree markings, so it was virtually impossible to stray from the path. At my "peak", I was hiking easily 25 miles a day. Some of those hikes were relatively easy because of the aforementioned terrain, but a lot of it was challenging, to say the least. I always had a topographic map with me on my hikes so I knew what lied ahead  of me. I also had a plan where I was going to be hiking - no bushwacking for me. I would always leave a copy of my map and itinerary at home so if something should happen, someone would have an idea where to search. As I started walking with my walking stick, I developed a cadence; step-step-step-plant hiking pole-step... And to pass the time while hiking, I would sing hymns at the tempo of my cadence. So, just as those pioneer children, I also sang as I walked and walked and walked and walked.

Some of those hikes inclued several days, which took even longer to plan and get myself ready. This included sleeping bag, tent, cooking apparatus, etc. At the end of the hiking day, I ate my food and washed the utensils - usually by a stream. I tended not to hike on Sundays, but did camp, and read and prayed often. I also prayed a lot while hiking as I hiked alone 99% of the time. I found solace in the middle of the woods where I could collect my thoughts and communicate them to my Father in Heaven in the beauty of His creation.

Those days of hiking 25 miles a day are long past; my legs are starting to develop arthritus, I get winded easily even just walking a couple (SLC) blocks. Could I get back to where I was before? Perhaps, with a lot of training, preparation, and mental preparation. Just as when I started to hike, I would have to start conditioning myself once again; just start walking and walking and walking.

I have been thinking a lot about hiking as a friend of mine is setting out to hike the Appalachian Trail - again. O how I wished I was in shape to do that, as the reports and pictures that she posts are stunning. The trail, while well marked is not for the faint of heart, as there are many streams to cross, mountains to climb, and the perils of nature. Many people start off on the trail with high hopes, but due to exhaustion, ill-preparedness, or even that their heart really is not into it  - they quit. The entire trail from Maine to Geoergia, or Vice versa is indeed an accomplishment worthy of recognition. So, "Slim", my prayers include your safety as you pursue what you truly love to do.

We are all on varying levels of preparation on our mortal walk. We walk the walk through faith. Some of them are very young and still have most their mortal life ahead of them. As parents who have walked some of the paths that our children must walk - sometimes on their own we can wisely say "been there, done that" through our experiences to assist them; to make their walk easier based on what we have experienced. We all start out as babies, wholly dependent upon our parents for every thing in order for us to survive; food, water, shelter. We teach them how to walk when we see that there is a desire on the part of the child to do so. And after they start to walk, they also develop their legs to run. We have many things provided for us to assist us - our topographic maps, per se are the scriptures and the words of the prophets. We are given counsel on how we can best traverse the hills and valleys of life. The trail through mortailty to eternity is well marked by the footsteps of our Master, Jesus Christ. We strive to emulate the Savior and walk in His footsteps. As we walk through this life, we need to have a prayer in our hearts. We need to recognize that we cannot do it alone and we need Heavenly help.

As we get closer and closer to the graduation from mortaility to eternity, we find that we can no longer do some of the things that we once enjoyed as a youth. We become more wise - knowing that if we attempted such things, we could be in peril. Yet, there are many who continue to press on with steadfast faith in The Lord that they have no fear of doing such things. There are many who live their twilight years to the absolute fullest. And then there are some that the body just cannot do those things that they used to do. Their running - long gone, is now a shuffle of a walk. For some, walking is no longer an option. But they still "walk" on in their own way. Even though they cannot traverse mountains, or stairs, they walk on by imparting of their wisdom; what they have learned from their mortal walk in hopes of helping someone else walk forward with a brightness of hope. They live their lives with faith in the knowledge that the things that they suffered physically in their twilight mortal years will all be gone. We will all get to this stage in mortailty to one extent or another. By virture of the wonderful plan of happiness we have the promise that all our infirmaties will be gone - and we, once again will be able to walk and walk and walk and walk and walk.