A foggy morning walk with a friend

A thick fog rolled into Wisconsin Saturday morning, as the curtain fell on winter’s first run.

It would rise again for a preview showing of spring later in the day. That morning, though, the air felt thick as I met a friend Jill for a long walk through it.

I took a deep, cleansing breath and I made my way to her. It had been a challenging week and I looked forward to walking off the stress.

We turned and, as is our habit, we headed south through downtown and toward the river. We both expected the fog to burn off quickly, but it stuck around for most of our loop along the banks.

I thought about metaphors as we walked and talked.

Because, as we turned and made our way home, the fog started to lift. And, isn’t that what happens when we get to walk and talk with our friends? Doesn’t the air feel a little clearer? Frozen dew becomes “Can do!” when you’re walking with a friend.

For a while, ice crystals formed a little crown on our heads, which was a festive touch and maybe even looked ethereal, until it melted and turned our hair to frizz.

So much about that walk felt like a gift — the window of time that cracked open for both of us, the unexpected preview of spring, the beauty of a view that never disappoints but felt especially like a pastoral painting that morning, the optimistic pull of the sun.

I hope your weekend was equally inspiring and that you found a moment or two for a long walk and a chat with a friend.