The Monday Walking Group
It started as an idea in the thick of the pandemic – fall 2020 – by a member of Vancouver’s Brock House, a Point Grey Senior Centre. Linda’s invitation proposed a walk-and-talk plus lunch activity. The motley crew of fit seniors that now form the group range in age from late 60s to early 80s and has taken on a strong life of its own.
When Linda first put out the email calling for any BH members interested in joining a Monday noon walk from Kitsilano Beach to Granville Island Market for lunch and back, about eight people responded. It soon became clear that a certain level of fitness was necessary to do the circa 10,000-step walk, rain or shine. The group solidified with about six members, five identifying as female and one as male.
All were at least semi-retired and stemmed from various professions: the law, health care, education, and business. Several were widowed, some were married, others divorced; most had grown children, some with grandchildren. All were avid readers, travellers, and movie afficionados.
Everyone initially approached the new group with a modicum of uncertainty, but it soon became clear they had much more in common than the love of walking and a commitment to their health. They walked two by two or three and chose different conversation partners on the way back. They all managed a brisk pace.
Lunch was eaten outside, the first year, rain or shine, at the Public Market, under a tarp of sorts and, more recently, at distanced tables inside. Animated discussions, and occasional debates about everything became the focal point of lunch.
Eventually the group bonded to the point of finding occasional new lunch venues to celebrate markers of time passing; the winter and summer solstice, holidays, storms, and whatever else they felt was worth toasting with a special meal and with a glass of something fun.
A random group and an idea plucked out of Linda’s wish to share lunch and exercise with others turned into a group of friends committed to their weekly get-togethers, and who reach out and share in-between as well.
Making friends at any age is available if a few common denominators are there. The members of this group all liked the idea and then showed up for it.
“It’s so important to reach out,” says Linda, “especially during these times, and then, who knows what will become of it.”
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