We all walk the earth with a certain gait as we move through life. Some of us are given the gait that we walk with. Others choose a gait and stay the course all through their lives. A few lucky ones not only choose, but nurture and change our gaits to suit our lives. A friend of mine was the latter. He not only chose the gait that he tread upon this ball of dirt flying through space, but adapted it to those around him. With his peers he would run and play as hard as he could. With older ones he would slow his pace so as to not make them feel hurried. With children he would sit down and play or merrily race around a backyard or a beach until they fell down laughing. He could walk with pride for his artistry. He would shrug his shoulders at his athleticism. He would speak fondly of a fish he would nourish himself on that evening. He seemed always in motion, golfing, working, fishing, lending a hand when not even asked, far too many times to mention. Always moving, always finding a new gait to work with or towards. Too soon sometimes a gait is stayed. Too soon for us no longer allowed to look upon that gait in wonder. My friend's gait is no longer trod upon this earth, but rather among the stars. On clear nights we can see the trail of a star he has kicked along the way as it lights up our lives, still one more gift from an unique gait. Thank you for allowing me to walk with you part of the way.
