Hello Time, My Old Friend

Two days PWL (post-work life) and the biggest difference I’ve noticed (besides the loss of the elephant on my back) is the presence of time.  It’s like greeting a long-lost friend and I can only imagine how the abundance of it on the trail will be life-altering.

Remembering Old Friends

One distant memory was brought back by a longtime coworker who, in one night, whipped up a cozy for my cooking pot.  The only thing more beautiful than the cozy, which includes custom traveler graphics and insulated material, is the fact that she took the time to make it.  In one night.  If the world needs more of anything it is that.

Thoughts Before Actions

Of course, the whole idea of the office farewell, which I really wasn’t sure I was keen on, was made OK by women who planned it, fellow veterans at our institution.  A star-studded backdrop complete with handmade tent and a door to keep the bears out.  How thoughtful is that?

Armed With Authenticity

And another longtime coworker, and true woodsman, took advantage of the opportunity to grill me on my equipment list and, out of an abundance of concern, headed out to his truck and brought back his SOS bandanna (with instructions for surviving the apocalypse) and his compass, woven onto a cute rope bracelet and clasped with a firestarter.  Thanks, John!  He tried to sell me on the Bowie knife but that’s where I drew the line.

All Kinds of Support

If there’s anything we need more than time I would say kindness and compassion rank pretty high on the list.  And I have seen plenty of both in the last several weeks, including the note from the father of the thru-hiker who inspired me to take on this adventure.  And my boot camp instructor who is committed to performing a miracle in the next two weeks to get this body in mountain-climber shape.  Thanks to all and on to Springer!