My family bought a house in the city of Roselle about a year ago. Driving to downtown Chicago, if not accompanied by traffic and at the speed of 75mph, only takes a mere 40 minutes using Hwy 290. It's not too bad; an added bonus is that my house is really close to the hwy as well.
Driving to work is quite a pleasure. I don't get stuck in rush hour traffic like most Chicagoans. One day I decided to time myself - it took me about 15 minutes to drive the 7 miles distance from my house to my office. Not too shabby, I'm not complaining.
While driving every morning at 8.30am using the same road to get to the major streets, I happen to keep noticing this older man walking on the sidewalk alongside my car. He's probably in his late 60s. White hair, hunched back, and always with his cane. The first day I saw him, I forgot about him as soon as his reflection was gone from my rear view mirror. The fourth day I saw him walking at 8.30am, I was intrigued. After 10 months of seeing him and his beloved cane everyday, I just want to stalk him, find out where he lives, and spend a couple of hours talking to him.
This mysterious old man is always wearing his favorite blue windbreaker jacket. Wearing a hat, I saw that he has his headphones on, too. I wonder what he's listening to. Is it a radio? It could be a radio receiver in his pocket. Or is it a CD? What kind of music does he listen to? Classic? Jazz? Country? Wouldn't it be a riot if he listens to hiphop? Ooooh, so many possibilities.
I've started to learn his route as well. He doesn't go to the little streets/alleys; from my house to the next major intersection, I'd say it's a good 0.8 mile. That is the route he takes; to the intersection and back. Before 10am, this man has walked 1.6 miles. On some days, I don't even walk 1 mile! What a way to start the day, don't you think?
I remember one day it was raining. I woke up late because the alarm clock didn't go off. I was thinking in the back of my mind: "My old man is not going to take his walk today. I wouldn't! It's raining! I'd be lazy and go back to sleep." But boy, was I wrong! While turning on my wipers, I saw him walking with an umbrella over his head, already on his way home. He was almost done with his walk. I suddenly felt ashamed. I was running late. The old man? He was walking on time.
And that is almost the case everyday for the past 10 months. I purposely look for him whenever I drive to work. Never has he missed his walk. From Monday to Friday, at 8.30am (I don't know if he walks on weekends). You can find him walking; whether it'd be a clear day, a rainy one, a very sunny morning, or a gloomy sky. He's there with his music and his cane... and occasionally, his umbrella.
It got me thinking; shouldn't I be like that when it comes to my spiritual life? Shouldn't I read His Word everyday, pray everyday, be kind and joyful everyday (among many others), irregardless the "weather" the world has for that day? If it was a happy day, shouldn't I not forget to give praise? It it was one of the sad days, shouldn't I still be faithful to Him? I need to walk with God everyday, just like the old man. Rain or shine.
I need to be more like you, my old man...
And while on that note, I need to know where you live as well.
I would love to spend one Saturday morning with you.
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i remember back home in Tangerang, there is this old guy (kakek2) who always jog in the morning close to my house. I always saw him when i went to school, or to the church on sunday. Same as Nita's old man, he also showed up on really hot days, and on little rainy days - with an umbrella. isn't that amazing? He is very discipline and i think he's being responsible too about his health.
oh now that i recollect my memories, i think he went jogging twice a day! in the morning when i go to school and some time in the afternoon when i stopped tukang somay for a little snack. hahhaa..
One time i bumped into him, and we chatted a little bit. Turned out he was one of the people who sneaked, hid, and ran from Japanese (Netherlands) in time of war. He managed to run (by foot, hiding behind the bush, and all those things as implied from his story) from some place in Central Java to Jakarta.
Then i realized that kind of experience must have built him some discipline and 'fight for your life' attitude. The attitudes we rarely find nowadays. The attitudes understood by few generation before us.
Our generation want everything instantly, and i think we tend to tone down what discipline and "perjuangan hidup" are.
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