A neighborhood walk turns into a lesson in friendship, concern, and resilience.
I’m usually a solo walker. Along with our labradoodle, Cooper, I cover two to four miles a day, looping around our neighborhood and greeting neighbors and their dogs. Sometimes Barb joins us, and if the day feels glorious, I’ll treat Cooper to a drive to a nearby park, where we can climb the sledding hill as part of our route.
Last week, two friends, Jack and Greg, invited me to join their Wednesday walk. I did a quick loop with Cooper, then drove with them to an access point on the Des Plaines River Trail. Caps on, sunscreen applied, water bottles in hand, we set out into the warm midweek sun.
The wide gravel trail wound through shady woods, alive with walkers, joggers, bikers—and the occasional pile of horse manure. We talked about family, sports, and old jobs as the miles slipped by. When my watch told us we’d hit three miles, we turned and headed back.
Walking three abreast through the forest reminded me of Stand By Me, the 1985 film where four boys trek along the railroad tracks in search of a body. We could have been their senior counterparts, though our only quest was exercise and camaraderie.
Near the parking lot, almost six miles in, Greg suddenly asked Jack if he was okay. Jack said yes—then crumpled to the gravel, flat on his back. His face was pale, but he was breathing and had a pulse.
In that moment, the doctor you want at your side is not a retired pathologist like me. Fortunately, Greg’s long career was in anesthesiology. He quickly sized up Jack’s condition: dehydration. Together, we eased Jack upright, and before long, he was sipping water, color returning to his cheeks.
We walked slowly to the car. Jack bounced back quickly and insisted we keep to our lunch plans. I checked in the next day, and he was fine.
Yesterday I heard Bob Stroud play Ben E. King’s Stand by Me on his Rock’n’Roll Roots radio program. It brought me back to the movie, to our walk, and to standing with Jack as he recovered.
We didn’t need a body at the end of our walk—friendship, concern, and relief were more than enough.
Just Like Starting Over 
Dehydration as you know is extremely serious. An IV for fluids is what is most needed. Otherwise his recovery was at risk.
Do you agree even if Jack thought otherwise.
LikeLike
I think the oral hydration was enough in this setting. But you are right, it can be very serious.
LikeLike
You’ve Got A Friend. James Taylor
LikeLike