Well, there are a lot of “walks” these days.  The “Walk for Breast Cancer” .  The “Walk for Juvenile Diabetes”.  The “Walk for Leukemia”.  And although I totally support these “walks”, the “walk” I care for the most is the “Walk for Sanity“.

Walk for Sanity = Walking 2 to 4 times a week, for at least an hour, with your girlfriend…..rain or shine, to help you keep a grip on your sanity.

Now this is the basic definition, but there is much more to it than that:

It all depends on finding just the right girlfriend to be your partner in the “walk for sanity”  She has to be able to keep your pace and your secrets.  She has to be completely non-judgemental and totally validating at the same time.    Someone that can handle whatever string of curse words you feel the need to let out, or….whatever prayer you have to offer up.  Someone who understands that she is the real reason your  husband is still alive and well.  Someone who can commiserate about the injustice of gravity, yet assure you that you look amazing in your Target sweatpants, even without a shower.  Someone who totally understands when children and husband’s needs get in the way of walking, and yet, still finds a way to get out the door.  

As you can tell from my description, this honor can not go to just anybody.  It is a tall order and it takes time to find  the right partner to make it work.  I have looked for this someone ever since we moved to Chicago 6 years ago.  I tried many walks with many girlfriends and none were “the one”.  Either they were too fast, or too slow, or didn’t listen, or didn’t talk!   It has been such a hole in my life.  I settled for long walks with just my own thoughts for company, and I felt secretly jealous of those people I knew who had long-time “walk for sanity” partners. 

I have now found “the one” .  I can’t tell you how “sane” I finally feel!  This is toning your tushy and top quality therapy (for free) in an hour.   Jodi,……….thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.   And as much as I thank-you, my family thanks you more.