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May 22, 2018

Learning To Walk

With the uncertain, bow-legged steps of a drunk cowboy, Lincoln teetered across the grass towards me. I waited with open-arms under a tree, my heart wavering in rhythm with each one of his steps. I willed him to make it the final few feet into my arms, but he fell short. Link didn’t seem to mind. He laughed and rolled the last yard to where I sat. He rose with a triumphant smile, covered in sticks. The dogs gave him a victor’s welcome, complete with a massive kiss from Zero. Who am I to say this joyful boy fell short?
With the uncertain, bow-legged steps of a drunk cowboy, Lincoln teetered across the grass towards me. I waited with open-arms under a tree, my heart wavering in rhythm with each one of his steps. I willed him to make it the final few feet into my arms, but he fell short. Link didn’t seem to mind. He laughed and rolled the last yard to where I sat. He rose with a triumphant smile, covered in sticks. The dogs gave him a victor’s welcome, complete with a massive kiss from Zero. Who am I to say this joyful boy fell short? The impulse to quantify, qualify and order life is a persistent one. We track milestones, record progress and check boxes. So when people asked, “Is Lincoln walking yet?” I was eager to say yes. As if that answer somehow offered meaningful validation for either of us. But sitting under the tree I realized how much more that goofy, dirt covered smile meant to me than any of the steps which preceded it. The journey is more important than the destination. I know this. I know I know this. But I forget this – all the time. As I watched Lincoln push off my knee for another attempt at bipedal locomotion, it seemed fitting I always remember to savor the journey when I’m out on a walk. As usual, I can’t claim credit. The walks are contractually obligated by Zero and Penny under penalty of over dramatic whining if I dally for even a moment. My dogs remind that me that walking is an activity worthy of enthusiastic reverence. Walks are procedural necessities in the winter, but with the warming weather we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy them as wandering meditations. I lash Lincoln to my back, leash up the pups and head out. I pick a direction but never a destination. Because the question is not, “Are we there yet?” It’s “Are we here yet?” I search for the answer in my steps and the spaces between them. I am beset on all sides by the pull of those “Are we there yet?” questions. Responsibilities and deadlines, each threatening to pull me away from the here and now. Fortunately, I am steadied on the tightrope of the present moment by a dog on either side. I also keep my balance by talking to Lincoln. “It’s a beautiful day out. I’m glad we all get to enjoy together,” I say. The boon of those with pets or children is we can talk to ourselves aloud without judgment. If someone saw me walking alone and I said, “It’s a beautiful day out, I’m glad I get to go for a walk,” I’m pretty sure I’d be given a wide berth. But when people hear me talking to Lincoln and the pups it always elicits a wide smile. This is the other secret joy. Every smile given to your child or pet is one you get to share. And a twelve legged, four-armed creature such as us is luck enough to gather plenty of smiles along the way. Each small kindness anchoring us to the present moment. On a walk about a week after Link stumbled under one tree, we stopped to rest at another. Both destinations I can’t remember and couldn’t find again. The dogs lay in the shade and once more watched Lincoln wobble towards me. This time he didn’t fall. Link dove into my arms with a laugh. His smile was slightly cleaner, but it was no more valuable to me for his accomplishment. The joy was, is and remains sharing those smiles together. I thought again of the question, “Is Lincoln walking yet?” Yes, he is. But I know the better question to always ask myself as a parent might be, “Is Lincoln walking, still?” In a forward-looking world, can he keep his gaze in the present? Can he savor experiences not for where they get him or what they accomplish, but simply for what they are? It’s not a question with a finite answer. But with practice, and perhaps the help of a dog, I know you can hold fast to one small part of infinity and claim it – if only for a moment – as your own. There will be time enough to teach him. For now, I do my best to show him. One step (and two dogs) at a time.

Comments for Learning To Walk

  1. love it… and I love the two doggie-guards who will watch every step ;O)) … and link has the same smile like you!!!!

  2. C. Taylor says:

    Will, Once again you make of think of so many choices in life. One step and interesting journey at a time; and more importantly, thanks for sharing them with us! “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of your hand.”

  3. Greg says:

    Will,
    Great post as usual. Most of my five kids walked late…like 16 months! Keep the posts coming!

    PS-Zero is HUGE! How much does he weigh? Koda still only like 65 lbs.! Cleo a ripped 75 lbs…I wonder if and when he will pass her?? We will see.

  4. Love it! Not – Are we there yet? But – Are we here yet? Definitely the right, more useful question to ask. If we’re not here, we’ll NEVER be there.

  5. Victoria Coleman says:

    Always wonderful to hear your philosophies – they are both true and meaningful – keep on keeping on 🙂

  6. Throughout my life I’ve experienced my own bowled legged steps of a drunken cowboy more times than I should admit. It’s nice to know I am in good company albeit for much different reasons.

  7. Laura says:

    Happy tears in my coffee again. Beautifully written, as usual, Will. The time will most definitely fly, I am so glad you are trying to genuinely savor it.

  8. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Hopefully he gets his mom’s intelligence at least!

  9. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thank you!

  10. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Haven’t got an official weight on Zero since his one year checkup, but I suspect he’s somewhere around 95 pounds. His head being at least half that.

  11. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Exactly!

  12. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thank you!

  13. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Haha it’s a good skill to practice every once in a while to make sure you still have it!

  14. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    It requires a lot of practice but fortunately I have a lot of help

  15. Emmadog says:

    Now the real trouble will begin. He will be chasing with the pups in no time!

  16. Kismet says:

    Short of the finish line? These days you get a participation prize.

  17. Murphy's Law says:

    It’s so nice to read this post, full of love and forward thinking and a beautiful toddler and two exceptional dogs. Oh! And you too Will! Lol.

    Lincoln always looks so happy. Clearly you guys got this! One day at a time. One step at a time. Patience is key and love, lotsa love. Everything else will fall into place.

    Happy days ahead of warm temperatures, sunshine, sand between your toes (and paws!) and romping in the water.
    Ginger

  18. czechsix says:

    Nice capture and a terrific photo for that topmost one. Well done.

  19. I so enjoy reading your posts Will! I am made happy by knowing you are there, parenting and sharing your moments and insights. Our pets live short lives with us and our children grow so quickly – the only thing that binds them to us forever is the love we share with them. You got this!

  20. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    I’m pretty sure they’re what spurred him to get walking ASAP. He doesn’t want to miss out on any fun.

  21. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    I’m just the narrator, like you I’m here for the real characters!

  22. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks!

  23. Those first steps are monumental and heartwarming at the same time for a parent eager to share their genius child’s accomplishment. We all do it. And can I just say, oh my dog…what the heck have you been feeding Zero. He’s turned into a giant!! #bigdog

  24. Wanda Carlton says:

    THANK YOU 🙂

  25. Eve says:

    Oh what joys it is to have a mobile child (Just kidding) as now the real work begins! Yes what have you been feeding ZERO? I love him but he is huge! Glad he is good with Lincoln and will be there to help keep him
    steady right beside you both!

  26. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    If Zero doesn’t become the smartest dog in the world, we can be certain it’s not because there wasn’t enough room for his brain to grow!

  27. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    I’m trying to devise a system where children and dogs chase each other while I just drink a margarita and watch. Plan hasn’t quite worked out yet.

  28. lak says:

    I am new to following your blog, but I love the perspective you have on life. Your videos are beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing them.

  29. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Thanks, glad you like them!

  30. What a precious pile of photos – these are such wonderful moments aren’t they? I can only imagine as I never enjoyed the thrill of seeing my own child take those first steps. I can liken it to the fun of watching a kitten learn to conquer the stairs but gosh – that’s just not even close is it! Thanks for sharing the photos – those of us who have followed you for a while enjoy “keeping up” as your family grows and builds on that wonderful foundation of LOVE that you and Emily have established. Congratulations……….truly.

    Hugs, Pam (and Teddy too)

  31. Your an amazing writer, Will. What a lucky little boy to be growing in a household with gentle, thoughtful, wise parents and a pair of loyal pups. Your blog posts are always a pleasure. Perhaps when my baby boy leaves for college this fall, I’ll have more time to read all my favorite blogs. Alys

  32. Oh you always make me cry such HAPPY tears!!!!!!!! Love all of you and Lincoln is going to have some amazing adventures with you, he is blessed to have such a wonderful family!

  33. Dhameer Govind says:

    Thank you for your wonderful videos and blogs. You inspired me a lot in tough times.

  34. Alex says:

    hi i also have a Ridgeback(one year old Female) her name is Nyah, and my wife and i have our first baby a girl due in Sept. how did you introduce your dogs to the baby at first? Nyah is still kida a cluts and doesn’t know she is 90lbs but she is a total sweetheart

  35. Will (MarkingOurTerritory.com) says:

    Congrats! It’s a work in progress for us, but you can find a lot of what I’ve found most helpful in our youtube videos from the past year – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM-SIMPK60H96F2uuiCPEmA

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