Heather Spurlock

Walking+Friend=Therapy

When I turned 40 life changed. I had a physical and was diagnosed with asthma and high blood pressure. I don’t have any history of asthma in my family, so this was a surprise for me. I was determined to make some changes to improve my health. I started to slim down and walk up Millcreek Canyon daily. One day a friend of mine Julie asked me if I wanted a walking partner. Soon we were best friends. We heard the ins and outs of daily grind, and success of our families.

We experienced so many things. One day we saw a deer injured in the creek and we made many phone calls to get help for the helpless deer. Another day we were dodging a propane tank that fell off a utility truck. We even had our husbands come with us on a Saturday a few times. One day my speedy cyclist brother-in-law buzzed by me so fast on his bike yelling at me that I actually jumped into Julie.

We always had our rituals of walking. We walked up the hill backwards on the steepest part of the hill. There was an area that fish hung out. We would tell fish jokes. Then we would count how many and if there were many we determined it would be a great day. I always walked on the side of the moving cars. Julie walked on the protective painted curb. Julie wandered more than me and I could keep us safely on the road.

Those were the days. Since then Julie started working and I went back to school. Our ties are softer from the mountain but still remain friends. I did learn that “walk talk” was never to be repeated. You never need a therapist with Julie around she was there for a reason, and at the most important part of my life. I am sure she would say the same thing.

Last week I could not wait to walk up the canyon with the new fallen snow. I even walked back home to get a camera. Then the floods of memories came back. Thank God for the canyon where I grew up riding with a boyfriend on his motorcycle and therapy with Julie.