Where do they all go?

I was running on the trail this morning musing about all of the regulars that I don't see any more.  There was the lady with no legs riding on her scooter accompanied by her scottie dog holding court on the front platform. 

And the couple with the old beagle.  First there was old dad, old mom and old beagle mozying along, stopping to chat with other regulars. Then there was old mom on the bench wating for old dad and old beagle to finish their rounds. Last time I saw just old dad with no old mom or old beagle.  This year I haven't spotted any of them.

Then there was the friendly lady with the old basset hound nmaed Sarge whos belly drug along the ground as he trudged along.  The nice lady pushed a baby buggy for the hound for when he got too tired to walk.  Last year his belly wasn't dragging quite as much and you could see alittle sky under it.  But this year I haven't seen either Sarge or the friendly lady.

Last year smiling ladies from the local black Methodist church would pass out little slips of paper with Bible verses on them while they were walking.  I still have one in a jacket pocket I discovered when I was up north and stuck my hand into my pocket.  Haven't seen them either and I miss them.

The person who faithfully scattered bird seed on the side of the trail for the squirrels(I would guess) must be gone, too because the trail hasn't had one little seed on it yet.  I bet the squirrels really miss him.  I noticed there aren't as many squirrels or rabbits there either.  Must be why.

I miss seeing the alligator in his place each morning, too.  He disappeared when they repaired the hole that was draining the lakes.  Maybe they moved him or maybe he just didn't like all of the ruckus.  Anyway, he's gone, too. So why aren't there more rabbits then?

Well, I miss all of my old friends even as I make new ones who have just started showing up this fall.  We are already beginning to connect, exchanging our "good mornings" and "missed you yesterday" and "you'd better slow down if you don't want to get a ticket for speeding". Sure makes the runs more interesting.