Linda, Editor in Chief

My family and I were supposed to begin the Family Circle/American Heart Association/Start! Walking Challenge last week, but it didn’t go so well. Bitter cold, snowy weather was a major deterrent and no one (myself included) was up for a stroll around the neighborhood by the time I got home from work. It was just too dark and slippery. But my 8-year-old Nick was so enthralled with his new pedometer (like most kids he loves gadgets, even low-tech ones) that he made me promise to walk to town and back on Sunday morning. It was still pretty cold out and if Nick had changed his mind I would have happily stayed put in my p.j.s and read the newspaper—but he was determined. So we set out on our 4.2 mile trek and you know what? We had a blast. It took us two hours (we had to go slow because much of the route was on a main street with no sidewalk), but Nick was chatting away. And I realized what a gift it was to be just the two of us. We’ve lived in the same town for nearly 12 years but we'd never before taken such a long walk. By the time we returned, we were so excited and energized that I'm pretty sure the rest of the family was jealous. Sure, walking is ideal for getting in shape, but who would have guessed it’s the perfect activity for getting closer to my kids? I hope the Challenge strengthens your family bonds as well. Keep on walking.