When I drove down to Alabama I made a stop to take some pictures on Roan Mountain Tennessee. At the foot of the trail that ascended the peak from where this photo was taken from, I met a family resting having just hiked that section of the Appalachian trail. There was a tall middle aged bearded man, very thin, almost gaunt with what looked to be years of experience already lining his face. With him was a young boy, maybe eight years old looking quiet tired and solemn. His wife was somewhat more rounded out with long brown hair. All were dressed in well worn trail clothing with several layers as it was quiet chilly that day. I stopped to speak with him. He had quite a story to tell.
He is a former Marine who served as an explosive ordinance technician. He shared that during a training evolution he had to jump off a bridge to avoid the concussion of an ill timed explosion and injured his back. He was told he would never walk again, but his spirit undaunted, he began a long road back that was now seeing him walking the AT. However, his spinal column is damaged and leaking fluid which he said will claim his life within the next few years. When he shared the news with his family, they asked what he wanted to do, and he said he would like to hike the entire AT before he died. His family joined him. He had completed the hike shortly before I saw him. They were redoing the TN/NC section as it was his favorite section.
There are those people you meet and forget. And then there are those you will remember forever.
What is 104?
Angels from the realm of glory -- here is a great feel good story for Christmas. I was thinking as I read this story, it would be a good response to some advertisements I've seen on metro busses in the DC area asking why would any one believe in God sponsored by some group of so called progressives that are against religious faith. Hmm... I'm glad God continues to believe in what He is doing on our behalf even when His own children won't acknowledge His grace and glory.
When I drove down to Alabama I made a stop to take some pictures on Roan Mountain Tennessee. At the foot of the trail that ascended the peak from where this photo was taken from, I met a family resting having just hiked that section of the Appalachian trail. There was a tall middle aged bearded man, very thin, almost gaunt with what looked to be years of experience already lining his face. With him was a young boy, maybe eight years old looking quiet tired and solemn. His wife was somewhat more rounded out with long brown hair. All were dressed in well worn trail clothing with several layers as it was quiet chilly that day. I stopped to speak with him. He had quite a story to tell.
0700 tomorrow - one last walk for SOS - this time across the stage for graduation. Then a long drive to Mom's for some celebration! She is cancer free! Saturday I should be back home with my wife and kids.
Whew! It has been a busy last six weeks. Climbing over Project X obstacles, writing papers, doing briefings, and taking the hardest test I have ever taken in my entire academic career but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Had one major bump in the road. Got injured but after some good medication from the doc here and some rest on the physical side of things I am on the mend and think I'll be back up enough to resume my duties at Arlington without any hitch, but I probably won't be running for a few weeks yet. 
