Date: 2008-06-24
From: Vernon, N.J.

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 51.9

Dear April, it was great meeting you Satarday on the raised walkway through Pochuck Creek. There was something about your spirit, that kept me talking to you long enough for you to ask me why I was walking the entire trail. That's always the question that gives me the chance to spread the message about not taking our friends and loved ones for granted. After telling you about my wife passing away you told me about your best friend getting killed by a drunk driver 3 years ago. I know you are still hurting from that. That must have been quite a friend, and you were certainly a great friend to this person. I was having a bad day myself after getting rained on again. I was stumbling along in the woods earlier thinking how nice it would be to be at home on my front porch. You made me realize why I am still on the trail. There are many other Aprils out there who are hurting from a loss. It can be loss of family member or job or a marriage gone bad. Loss equals pain and that pain is so hard to get over. When we spoke I gave you my pain and picked up yours. If we do this often enough the pain will start to subside. Many people won't understand how you and I feel, and how could they if they never experienced loss. It is so important to not take our friends and family for granted. Today is a gift, tomorrow is not promised, why not tell your friends and families today how much they mean to you. April, it was no accident we met. I Believe God put you in my path that day to inspire me to continue the journey. To you and many other Aprils out there hurting I wish peace, love and happyness. Paul.................................................................................To my friend that took offence at my comments about the New Age folks, I have some thoughts for you. First I thought that movement had gone out with the mullett haircut. Second, its not new at all but an old practice that was reconstituted much like my dehidrated meals, just add water. It didn't work back then either. Whether you worship the Moon or the Sun or a Chipmunk makes no difference to me. I just prefer to worship the creater of the Moon,Sun and chipmunks. I have a thought for you, since you have enough time to Google all my song references, why not throw a pack on your back and join me for a day or two. I will only talk in song lyrics and you can name the artist and song. For example, when I left Water Gap I was so bored I counted the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike and Its getting to the point where I'm no fun any more. Without Googling or asking your mom or dad what are the two song titles and artists in that silly sentence? I'm checking your expertise in case we get into a mental joust so I know what portion of my brain to bring to the arena. Get your finger off that button, I said no Googling. A final thought for you, Lighten up!....While you still can....Don't even try to understand.....in other words, Take it easy. Your friend, apostle. .............................I like that guy, at least he didn't use profanity this time. I actually have been hiking too. New York is harder than I thought it would be. Yesterday I went through a place called the lemon squeezer. It was a rock formation just wide enough to squeeze through. I have no idea how a more rotund hiker would get through. Today I hiked into Bear Mt. New York. The trail goes right through a Zoo. I walked into Fort Montgomery to get more food for the next several days. The U.S. postal service lost my last food drop. Ina sent one to Kent, Conn. which I will pick up Satarday. Tonight we are at Graymoor Spititual Life Center. This is the home of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. AKA Monks. It used to be that hikers were allowed to eat with them, but that is no longer allowed. We are in a pavilion on their grounds. You would think they would welcome an Apostle in their midst. I could sure have some fun writing about the Monks turning an apostle away at their door. I will refrain. The new and improved apostle has shown up. More loving, more kind. Oh never mind, did I say chipmonk earlier? Are there lady Monks? If so are they called Monkes? Connecticut on Friday. Seems like I'm finally making some progress.