Here are my
most recent notes to our daughter Katie and son-in-law Nick as they thru-hike
the Appalachian Trail. Thanks for your interest in their journey.
—Dan
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Day 10: Success & Commitment
This morning began with a very brief text
from you confirming:
"We are crossing over to North
Carolina today!"
Knowing that you were only 4 miles
from North Carolina when the text came through was a great start to the day!
Mom and I are so proud of you. That's a great accomplishment! If you include
the half-section of the Approach Trail you hiked on the first day, you two have
logged over 80 miles already. Try not thinking about the many miles still
ahead. Remember: One step at a time. Enjoy the journey.
Mom and I got to watch Emery and Micah
tonight so that Ben and Ali could have a night out. I had mentioned to Ben a
couple of days ago that you two were getting waterlogged in your tiny tent from
all the rain you've had…and like a good brother…he gave me his tent to ship to
you. I plan to waterproof it tomorrow and get it ready to ship. I just need you
guys to tell me where to mail it. While we were watching the kids, I opened up
the green tent pouch to check the poles and to see if all the pieces were
inside. As I pulled the rainfly out of the bag, the familiar scent of musty
nylon took me back. I told Mom, "That smell brings back the memories."
And as I drove home in my little red truck, the smell quickly filled the cab
and made me smile. I like knowing that the tent Ben and I used for our 12 day
hike on the AT through Georgia in 2006 will serve as your temporary housing for
a portion of your hike. It just seems right!
You two have already surpassed in less
than 10 days what Ben and I did in 12 days. Again, that just seems right. You
will learn someday what I think every parent feels toward their kids; we all
want what's best for our children and we want our kids to (hopefully) do better
and/or surpass what we've done and accomplished. As I told you many times
before you started this adventure, I want you to succeed in this. Not only do I
want you to make it all the way to Mt. Katahdin in Maine…I want you to soak up
this experience like a sponge and then wring yourselves out…not leaving
anything undone or unexperienced. I know you are committed to this too, but
it's going to be hard. The only way to pull this off is to rely on each
other…and God.
Proverbs 16:3 reads: "Commit
to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
I really hope you are committing each
day to the Lord--knowing that the only way to succeed is wholly based on God's
grace. When you commit whatever you do to Him it takes the weight off of you
and places it solely where it belongs. So stay committed as you begin your trek
through the 95+ miles of North Carolina. Success is guaranteed when commitment
is anchored in the right place.
Love,
Dad
Day 11:
Appalachian Spring
Well, your
car is finally off the street in front of the house and in our garage. It took
all morning, but I got the garage cleaned out and organized. Your little car is
now tucked away and waiting for your return.
It was
beautiful here today. Spring seems to really have arrived in Colorado. The
trees have all blossomed and budded and there was a warmth in the air today
that I haven't felt in a while. It was fun being outside, piddling around in
the garage. It's been 4 weeks since my hernia surgery, so I decided to really
put it to the test by lifting more than I've lifted in weeks. You know I can't work in my garage
without some music, and today was the perfect day, so I dropped Aaron Copland
into the CD player. "Appalachian
Spring" never sounded
better. Needless to say, you were both on my mind. As Appalachian Spring
reached its crescendo, I just stood and listened...hoping the rain had stopped
in North Carolina...and that it was just as Spring-like there for you as it was
for us in Colorado.
After
finishing up in the garage, Mom and I worked in the yard and by the time we
headed off to church tonight, I was feeling it a little--feeling my age. I
won't lie. I hate getting old.
Spring and
Fall.
There's no
getting around it; I'm in the autumn of my life, but you two are still in your
Spring...Summer's coming, but it's still Spring for you. And as I listened to
the beautifully, majestic, sadly moving orchestration of Copland's "Appalachian
Spring" in my garage this morning, I was grateful for your Spring. The
Spring of your youth...the Spring of 2015...and where you are spending them
both.
Ecclesiastes
3 begins with: "For everything there is a season, and a time
for every matter under heaven..."
There is a
season for everything...and the season for you is Spring...an Appalachian
Spring. And soon your Appalachian Spring will turn to Summer...somewhere
between North Carolina and Virginia...and not long after you return to settle
back down in Colorado. Spring to Summer. Summer to Fall. Fall to Winter.
As much as
we all might wish...no season lasts forever.
Love,
Dad
Day 12:
Trained Up
Sunday is
usually the day we catch up with family. A lot of times Mom calls your grandma
on Sundays and (if I haven't checked in on my way home during the week) I'll
try and call Nana and Papa on Sundays. So it was fitting to get your call(s)
today from Franklin, NC. Mom and I loved hearing about the hike so far--and
can't wait to see the video you're going to post soon. As we said on the phone
today, we can't get over how much you two have been able to stay in contact
with us during this trek in the wilderness!
It was a
little disconcerting to hear about your constant sore tendons, blistering toes
and other physical woes, but we trust that you will listen to your bodies and
not stress yourselves too much. I guess I knew that this hike would take a toll
on you both...I just wasn't ready to hear the reality of it. Still, we are both
encouraged by how high your spirits are and by hearing how much you're loving
this journey--despite the physical strains.
Katie,
you've always known (and Nick, you've learned) that I am not one who coddles.
I've learned...and have tried to pass along...the reality that we gain strength
(and some of our greater insights) when things are at their worst. It's often
said that tough times don't necessarily build character
as much as prove character. Part of disciplining little
kids (along with correction) is instilling wisdom and strength in them. Katie,
you were such a strong-willed little girl growing up. There were times (more
than I care to remember) when you pressed our patience beyond the breaking
point. I tried to reassure myself during those days that your strong will would
be a blessing when you were older. But there were times when you REALLY made it
hard! (haha!) And Nick, you haven't had the easiest of lives from the start.
You know how much my heart breaks at some of what you've had to face growing
up. Still, it's shaped you into the man you are today. You are both stronger
because of the hard times you've already walked through.
Proverbs
22:6 reads:
"Train
up a child in the way he (or she) should go; even when he is old he
will not depart from it."
Some of your
training for this trip started when you were both still in diapers...Some of it
in middle school and high school through the struggles you each faced
then...and some of your training has happened in the rough times you've had as
a young married couple. No matter what, I know that it has strengthened you
both to the core...which will serve you well as this trip wears on your bodies
and minds.
Nietzsche
said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." This
seems to be true. I will try my best to remind myself (and our resident softy:
Mom) of this when we get word about your future physical struggles over the
next several weeks.
We will put
your re-supply boxes in the mail tomorrow...pray for you daily...and wait for
your next update!
Love,
Dad
Day 13: Holy
Moments
I know that
you are both reading this from the comfort of your room at the Sapphire Inn in
Franklin, NC. That makes me happy--knowing that you are resting, eating well,
and icing down sore tendons and ligaments. Your text today…telling us that you
were going to hang back from hiking an extra day…came at the perfect time. I
was in the midst of some tough stuff at the office and the news that you were
resting another day was a virtual shot in the arm for me. I kept thinking to
myself, "They deserve (and need) this break." Enjoy! What else
is there to do?
Ecclesiastes
2:24-25 reads:
"A
person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in
their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who
can eat or find enjoyment?"
I sure hope
you are finding satisfaction in your toil by eating more greasy cheeseburgers
from Mulligan's…and quenching your thirst with a couple of the local brews.
Let's face it, we have to consume proteins, calories and carbohydrates to fuel
our bodies. But eating and drinking…that's an entirely different
matter. I think that (when it's done right) the act of eating and drinking can
be entirely spiritual. I firmly believe that this is why God instituted eating
rituals into our lives. The Passover meal…which Jesus transformed into communion:
eating and drinking. And why did God make it a meal? He could have used
anything, but He chose to make it a meal--creating a holy moment. I don't know
why. My opinion: I think it's because meals are about as temporary as anything
we do in this life, yet hold the highest potential for leaving indelible marks
on us. I mean, what else in life requires all of our senses (sight, sound,
smell, touch and taste) with such profound enjoyment, and then is gone in a
heartbeat? Poof! Literally down the drain! Everyone has a favorite meal or a
favorite memory attached to a meal. I'm sure that you will both remember your
cheeseburger and fries at Mulligan's until your dying day…fondly recalling
every part of that meal from the decor in the restaurant to your waitresses (or
waiter's) name.
I would also
guess that you appreciated those burgers yesterday (and probably today) more
than just about any meal you've eaten. Probably because of what it cost you
(i.e., the miles hiked, the aches & pains, etc.)…making that meal a holy
moment. Again, I can't help but think of communion--another meal swimming in
deep appreciation--due to the cost. I smile as I type this. I had a burger
tonight too. No bun, just a leftover cheeseburger from a couple of nights ago.
Protein and a little bit of dairy.
I envy you
your holy moment at Mulligan's.
Love,
Dad
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