Date: 2008-06-03
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

West Virginia only has 3 miles of the Appalachian Trail, however they managed to get the main headquarters for the trail here. Probably because it's close to the halfway point. I had my picture taken there for this years hiker book. I stopped at the outfitter to pick up my new synthetic 45 degree sleeping bag. They fixed my bent Leki hiking stick for free. I am sending all my winter gear home so I will be about 5 pounds lighter. The trail goes right through town in Harpers Ferry. It passes by St. Peters Catholic Church. On September 10, 2002 I stopped in there to pray. On August 28, 2002 we received the phone call we dreaded. It was from Marys' doctor saying that the biopsy showed that the cancer was malignant. It was the first of many good crys I would have in the following years. My youngest daughter was at Bluffton College at the time and did not take the news well. Mary decided to go out to spend the weekend with her. I took a road trip by myself and went to Harpers Ferry. When I walked past that church I felt compelled to go in and pray for Mary and our family. I asked God for wisdom for the journey we were about to undertake. From the first day I set foot on the trail I knew I wanted to stop back at that old historic church to thank God for allowing Mary to be with us another 4 years. When I got there the church was locked, so I knelt on the front steps and prayed. Why you may ask am I getting so personal. When I decided to do this hike I decided to take a risk and really talk about the reality of life and death. My message is more or less directed at men and it's this, your spouse and your children need you. Don't ever take them for granted. You never know what you have till it's gone. All that extra work, the time spent away from your family is not worth it. If you want to be treated like a king start treating your wife like a queen. The pain of losing a spouse is hard enough without having regrets of not being the man you could have been. As I hike this trail I realize more than ever that life is not about stuff. It is about people and how we treat each other. I am hiking with Shiloh who lost his wife last year. He has since given away 90 percent of his stuff. I have been asked why I am hiking so fast. The truth is I desperatly miss my family. My 3 children Melissa, Rodrick, and Kristin my 3 grandchildren Mallory, Brady and Isaac need me, I need them. I miss my whole family, my sisters and parents. I am fortunate to still have both parents here. I need to visit them more. There is however one problem, my dad is 83 and still working every day and I am 57 and retired. I may need to set up an appointment with him. I miss my church family. As I hike I visualize where everyone is sitting. In our church most people sit in the same pew every Sunday. I realize how important all these people are to me. Even though I don't talk to most of them they still are part of the fabric that makes up my life. When even one of them passes on it makes a ripple in my life. When your spouse passes that causes a tidal wave for your family. My family still is so pained even as we are getting close to 2 years. Yes I still cry a lot. I cry because I miss Mary, I cry because my kids hurt. I am finding healing on the trail. Most of all I realize life is a gift from God, it is fragile it is to be enjoyed to the fullest. To be happy is a choice. I choose to be happy and enjoy what life is left for me. This hike is dedicated to the memory of my wife Mary and to any good that comes from it.