A half-mile that gave me my morning back

I used to think “outside” had to mean a real hike — elevation, a summit, a story to tell. With MS, that framing mostly kept me indoors.

The loop near home

So I found a half-mile loop ten minutes from my door. Flat. Shaded. A bench at the halfway point that I am not too proud to use.

Some mornings I do the whole loop. Some mornings I make it to the bench and turn around. Both count. Both give me the same thing: a little light, a little air, a little proof that the day is mine to step into.

Gentle outside is still outside. The trail does not know how far you went.