Date: 2014-03-30
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 18: Sunday, 30 March 2014 Zero in Sylva, NCWent to church with Roberta. We had to get there 30 minutes early because she sings in the choir. Michael and I are used to that! Their choir sits up front with robes. Don't get any ideas, Jeff! They also have about 25 people in their choir. There's more in their alto section then in our entire choir! Oh well, I STILL enjoy singing in our little choir at St. Christopher's!We met a lot of nice people at the church, very friendly folks. They were having a BBQ fundraiser, but being vegetarian, Roberta didn't mind just leaving afterwards. She took us to a grocery store so Michael could resupply. He's planning two days to Fontana Dam and maybe 4 days through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but he'll be getting the first resupply box at Fontana.Back at Roberta's Michael repackaged the food and started pulling together his stuff to head out tomorrow. I spent the afternoon calling Marty and my other North Carolina friends, Dave and Donna near the Winston-Salem area and Nancy near the Raleigh area. Marty got a flight for me out of Raleigh so the plan is to meet up with Donna and Dave on Tuesday, stay there for a couple nights, then head to Nancy and Warren's and they'll get me to the airport. I asked Marty to send my Army duffle bag to Nancy's to pack my backpack for the flight.I then texted my brother, wondering what he'd think about me quitting the trail. About a week into this odessey, he texted me to say that he's putting up $1000 upon my completion of the trail to go to the American Cancer Society, or any other charity of my choice, for what I'd been through and the support I'd gotten from my doctors. He mentioned this to our sister Barb and she also was willing to make a donation, which was why my decision was difficult. Well, Dave texted me back with the following message:"Give Michael something of yours to carry on, up to Maine. You'll be with him in spirit. (I assume he is going on with the hike, right?)The important thing is that you gave it a try! How many people hike over 100 miles on that kind of terrain and sleeping conditions. Be proud of what you did do and don't look back. Tell Michael to stay in touch as he goes forward. And let me know you're plans for getting home so I can let people know."It practically made me cry that he was that supportive of my decision. Thanks so much Dave! I needed that. Not too long after, I got a call from my sister, and she too was very understanding and supportive of the decision. Then there was an email from Barb's friend Tina, whom I'd never met, but was one of Buffalo's biggest fans last year, and ours this year. She too was in awe of what I'd already done, given my surgery just about 3 months ago, and very supportive of my decision. Well, if my husband and family are that understanding, that's all I need. And I am very impressed with myself for going the distance I did. The plan for the evening was to get together with Roberta's daughter Susan and her two children, Erin and Joey. We met at a Mexican restaurant in Cherokee, on the Cherokee Reservation. Had a nice meal with all of them. Roberta then took us out to their house, just to see the area. Michael would have loved a place like this, a small brook going through the back yard and woods beyond that. It was fun getting to know them. A great evening.Roberta, Michael, and I went back to Roberta's house. I spent time writing up journal entries, especially the one from two days ago, when I decided to get off the trail and told Michael. Michael came in the kitchen to see what I was doing."I finished writing up 'The Day'. Here, read it to see what you think." Michael read it, looked up at me almost teary-eyed, nodded his head in agreement, then came over to give me a big hug. I think he's OK with my decision now."Good night, Michael. I love you.""Love you too, Mom."All's well...... The Mum and.....