Promise delayed

Last fall I bought a brand new jogging stroller. You should see it. It's beautiful, a dark red canvas seat and a double cup holder with a little glove compartment. Hendrick loves the smooth, roomy ride. It's the SUV of strollers.

I had every intention of using it as part of a daily mommy-and-me exercise routine. Unfortunately, this oversized baby buggie didn't fit in the trunk of my midsized sedan so strolls on the boardwalk became a problem. Then it got cold. Then I got lazy. (Insert a dozen more excuses here. Be creative, please.)

Now it's spring.

Maybe the sight of daffodils and other bulbs bursting through the ground inspired me. Maybe the warm breezes through my kitchen window made me long to be outdoors. Maybe I ate too many chocolate donuts this winter and needed to start feeling healthy again.

So I strapped in my little boy and we walked to the park.

Now, in my town, a walk to the park is a mile and a half away. This was no small feat for the physically unfit. But I did it. And Hendrick and I had a great time. The walk back wasn't that bad either.

The time away from home was good for both of us - no thoughts of housework or writing assignments, no phone calls interrupting our play. We just focused on each other.

I made a promise to myself last year to become more physically active. It's not always easy to keep our word, despite our good intentions, but every day present a new opportunity to make good on our commitment. Today, I took that opportunity.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.