Date: 2003-03-12
To: More Pre-Trail Magic...
Miles today: 0.0

In 1992, I decided to go back to school and get my degree. I had failed at my first attempt, ten years earlier, when I went right out of high school. But I had worked for almost eight years in retail, and knew that I wanted something more (why am I back in retail again??? That's a story for another day...). So, September 1992 found me block registered into the basics with a bunch of 18 year olds (man, did I feel OLD!). I was sitting in the front row of my History of World Civilization class, which should have started five minutes before. Where on earth was the professor? I was glancing around the classroom, and noticed that not all of the students were "typical" freshmen. Why, the woman next to me was definitely older than me. It was at this moment that she rose from her seat...to take her place at the front of the room. Here was our teacher for the next few months! I thought it was a great way to start the class...but little did I know that it was the beginning of a very important friendship for me. Elizabeth (the professor, not me) doesn't believe in learning through traditional methods. In her class, we read fiction as well as fact, and learned from each other by discussing what we had read in small groups. We then used our new knowledge to create radio documentaries and slide tape presentations. What was this? I had only had exposure to textbooks and tests..perhaps a paper or two. I learned that my education didn't have to be boring and dry, but really a lot of fun. At the end of my first semester, I registered for the second HWC semester with Elizabeth. At the end of the second semester, I knew I wanted to continue to learn more with her, and registered for her Women's History course. It was at this point that I decided to minor in Women's Studies (my major was Early Childhood Education), and that Elizabeth approached me to ask if I would work for her in her World Civ. classes as a Supplemental Instruction Leader. Knowing how much I enjoyed the classes, and that I could really help people who might have difficulties with her method of teaching (it definitely wasn't EASY, just more fun for me), I agreed. I ended up working for Elizabeth for my remaining years at college, taking all of her history courses, and contributing a book review to one of her textbooks. A year later, Elizabeth asked me if I knew of anyone who could do gardening/landscaping. I told her that I didn't, however, I would be willing to give it a try. I had just lost my job, and really needed the work. She was skeptical, but said okay. Well, it turned out that I have a knack for that sort of thing, and by the end of the summer, I had recreated a good portion of her property, building terraces, stone walls, and eventually a stone staircase as well as a stone labyrinth. For three of the past four years, I have devoted many summer days to working on Elizabeth's property.Okay, so why am I telling you all this? What does it have to do with the AT??? I believe that if I had not met Elizabeth and had her influence in my life, I would not be starting on this grand adventure (in only 19 days!). (Elizabeth, you should consider this as the prose I didn't write for your retirement/roast party!). For the past ten and a half years, Elizabeth has helped me to see all that I could become...attain...achieve. She has given me the confidence to try new ways of learning, to become a leader in the college that I was attending. She has been there for me to vent my frustrations to, and offers a beautiful and peaceful home in which to take respite. Elizabeth is devoted to her animal companions (her children), and has tirelessly, lovingly spent the past year+ as doctor to her cat (who recently passed away, at the age of 21) and her dog, who is stricken with cancer. She is a constant role model for me in her treatment of both people and animals. In college, she demanded the best that her students could give, because she knew that we could do it. In life outside of school, she supported me, even though my life path did not seem to be going the way it "should" have when I graduated. Throughout our friendship, Elizabeth has supported me both financially and emotionally. She has given me a generous donation to aid my hike this year, and for that I am immensely grateful. But, that is not the biggest part of her support. Elizabeth, please know that every step I take on this year's journey really began with you, and the confidence and courage that you had, and instilled, in me to do whatever I felt that I could. My dreams will take shape in reality very soon, and I have you to thank for it...you will be one of the many people who will join me in spirit on my journey. I know that you are facing a new journey of your own, a life without your beloved companions. I hope that I can return even some of the support that you have given me over these past ten years. Love and blessings...Elizabeth