My walk for MS was a blessing and challenge in SO MANY way! I was constantly amazed at the number of new names I would gather, to add to my walking shirt, and the stories behind those names. The original plan was to travel to San Diego and join a group of other walkers for a 3 Day 50 Mile trek in the sunshine, with ocean breezes. But after the past 2 years of Covid and rise of costs, I made the decision to stay in Montana and do my 50 miles here.
In the midst of training I injured my knee, requiring some physical therapy and changes in plans. Sometimes the bumps in the road demand alternatives to the route! Many times it is in the detours that the best route is actually found, with new friends gained along the way!! That proved to be the case in the new plans began to come to view.
I decided that instead of one fifty mile route I would do 5 ten mile walks, in different areas of our valley, giving an opportunity to bring awareness to more people. What an adventure that proved to be!! I had committed to myself, that one of the walks would be in Whitefish, MT.
The San Diego walk was to take place the first week of November and my plan was to continue to walk thru October.
Toward the end of September, I learned my oldest sister was in Hospice care. She would soon join my Mother and another sister, both whom had lost their memories and lives to Alziehmers. Almost, immediately, upon hearing that her battle was ending, an opportunity to Walk a 100 Miles, in October for Dementia. My heart needed this walk. The one community that I hadn't covered yet was Whitefish, so I made that my last walk for MS. (I was asked why I felt I needed to walk Whitefish? No one else knew of that commitment. My answer, "Because, the most important promises are sometimes the ones you have made to yourself") I was blessed beyond measure, as I met new friends, collected some last donations gathered a couple new names and in my heart, walked over the finish line. I felt like I had kept my commitment and with the generosity of so many friends, family and strangers we had gone above the $2500 goal.
The final donations brought the MS Walk total to $3563!!
My sister passed, on October 22, 2022.
On October 3, after completing the MS Walk I switched my focus and completed the 100 miles in her honor.
Looking back on my past history it is interesting to find that walking has become my way of bringing HOPE to others and peace and joy to my soul. At the moment I have no plans for 2023.....
