I walked to the shops today. My husband had an errand that would take a few hours and it was a beautiful wintry day in Australia - which means sun shining and only cold enough for a light jacket. The trip was probably about 3 kilometers in total, plus the extra kilometer I added by trying to take a short cut through our neighborhood, which apparently has very windy streets that do not all lead to the shops. I had nearly 11 kilograms of Saf on my back (24 pounds) in the Ergobaby carrier that we could not live without, and over 12 weeks of growing baby on my front. I felt pretty good about myself. I felt strong. I'm nearing the second trimester energy surge and I can feel it. It's the first time I've felt motivated to exercise in .. 12 weeks? Yes. Probably.
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a younger, smaller and balder saf in the Ergo (on the front) |
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South Sudan, a women's seminar - my lovely friend Aline teaching on nutrition. |
I window shopped for awhile, ran into a couple of friends, listened to some kind of talent competition that was happening and walked home. As I walked, listening to Saf and enjoying the sunshine, I couldn't help but think of women that I know and don't know, walking their own roads at the same time, for such different reasons. I didn't feel guilty for my sidewalk and satisfied belly, but I felt the weightiness of gratitude and responsibility - for not only the gorgeous child on my back, but the luxury of choice and time and energy to waste.