Well, I done the school run and went for an exhilarating walk this morning, much of the walk over rough ground. As usual, my mind wandered as I walked. Quality of life and how should I measure it? How can I explain the sheer joy of added mobility? I know, I thought to myself, I shall count the number of people who say, “good morning” to me. I got bored after 24 minutes and had counted thirty-eight up to that point.
I met and saw loads of people, running, walking, dog walking rushing to school and work, sweeping roads. It was still early, about 9:20. I could tell you about the mist on the grass, the due on the cobwebs or the waking birdsong, but no. This time I noted the people. No one seemed to be overweight. Young, teens, mums, middle age and elderly all going about their own thing and I was one of them in the tapestry 
Eventually, I arrived at the high street, The first shop I saw was as pizza joint and next to it a mobility shop with scooters parked outside. Along the road was the hospice charity shop and over the road was a funeral directors. They all seemed linked in some depressing way 
. Further along the road was a bright new shop, all sparkling and modern. It was positively brimming with hope and expectations of a bright new future.
As I approached close enough to read the signs in the window and smell the contents of the shop, my interest was piqued. The sign said, crème brulee, custard, strawberry, chocolate, banoffee pie and a whole host more I could smell the food, all mixed smells and wafting out the door. Yummy I thought, but a little early for me.
I went in the shop, and not a piece of food there, no apple pies, no jam doughnuts and no custard or the like. The shop was selling VAPE products. E-Cigarettes and now E-food!!! I won't bore you with the entire conversation, “how much?” I asked. Only £155 for a starter kit apparently. I left the bewildered and astonished. There's always someone ready to capitalise on someone else’s misery and make a buck or two. Selling false hope to those most in need and often who can least afford it.
I headed home, wondering whether in future, school children will have their vapour desserts tucked away in their lunch boxes. Wondering the damage it will cause to their lungs, their body and mind. I felt a little older and that the world was moving at a pace I now find more difficult.
The bus arrived and I boarded, taking my seat by the window. Looking at the crowds now building in the busy roads and streets, I noticed that people had gotten bigger. It was not my spectacles malfunctioning, it was true. I relaxed and my mind wandered to day dreaming about the beach and the pebbles being deposited on the sand as the tide receded. Just like people I thought, early on in the day one tends to see the fit and the healthy, just like the small pebbles and as the tide goes out the heavier pebbles are revealed and then the very big stones, a bit like people, the heavier less fit spilling onto the streets a few hours after the busy day has started.
I want to be a little pebble I thought!
PS A note for my diary, the ground was wet and slippery on the slopes leading up the hill, but my balance has improved so much. A year ago I would not have attempted what I done today.
