Oh, bite me

It has always puzzled me what all the cheering is for. Perhaps it’s simply the fact that I can still walk upright—most of the time. Or maybe it’s just that I walk at all.

Of course, I have a smartwatch, and I can honestly say I’ve counted arm swings because, even while sitting down painting, hammering, stapling, or sewing, I somehow manage to rack up thousands of so-called steps. I assume this overpriced watch has developed a sense of humor and decided to entertain me.

I’m not disabled (yet), nor am I old enough—or hurt enough—to need to count my steps.

It’s about thirty-three steps to the bathroom. The countless trips to the refrigerator—some necessary, others… not so much—are all counted. So are my nightly walks to the porcelain throne, which is pure genius. I barely open my eyes to greet the day, and my watch proudly informs me I have already conquered fifty steps during the night. (Maybe I am the genius?)

There are the trips to the washer and dryer. The vacuuming steps. The gardening steps. The play-ball-with-Vader steps. The grocery store steps. The put-everything-away steps. The go-to-the-freezer-in-the-garage steps. The clean-up-after-your-husband steps. The make-the-bed-and-clean-the-house steps. The be-a-good-wife steps and other nonsense.

So much cheering. Every single day. Still, I don’t know what it’s for. Have we really become so lethargic that we need applause for walking through our own lives?

I understand it when people in rehab or physical therapy count their steps. They’re taking baby steps toward better health, and they deserve to be cheered on—every minute, every hour, every day.

Cancer patients who, while fighting nausea, pain, and exhaustion, still choose to take a walk because it helps them feel human again.

Older people who keep going with a cane or a walker, refusing to surrender to age or bad health.

They deserve the applause.

For one step.
For ten steps.
For every single step they take.

I’m sorry. Did I miss the point of today’s prompt… again?

Am I a thought-provoking party pooper simply because I can’t help looking at things from a different angle?

Well, I suppose I did list my achievements. Countless steps taken for numerous reasons.

I’m healthy. I’m fortunate. I don’t need applause for walking.

P.E.R.I.O.D.

Keep counting the steps if they matter to you. Just save the applause for the people who fought to take them.

Daily writing prompt

Hit 5,000 steps today and drop your achievement here — we’re cheering you on!

View all responses

As an indie author/story teller, I rely on self-advertisement, so here you go:

If you like my writing, you may enjoy my memoir Losing It All: Houseless, with Love, Dogs and Sausages. It’s the true story of how my husband and I lost almost everything during the recession, became houseless, and rebuilt our lives—without ever giving up our four dogs. It’s a story of hardship, humor, friendship, and the resilience to keep moving forward when life falls apart. Thank you for reading and for supporting independent authors.
Get your copy of my book here: Amazon