The “Night-Before” Feels

“One day or day one. You decide”

March 2016: I was sitting in my 250 person auditorium classroom  watching 2016 AT Tru Hikers depart from Springer Mountain in hopes to become part of the 25%.

Days/ weeks go by and I remember watching some regret to inform their friends and families that they were returning home for injury related reasons.

I remember reading updates and blog posts and thinking about them when I was cozy in my bed during those crazy thunderstorms.

I remember day-dreaming about hiking instead of studying and wishing I was one of them.

I remember watching some of those very same people making it to their end terminal with the biggest smile on their face & sense of accomplishment shinning through.

                                                                                  This was the point that got me.

I remember realizing just. how. much. life I had experienced while these people were literally walking all day, every day.

Every day for five to six-ish months these people were not worrying about tests, not worrying about paying bills, pumping gas, looking “good”, working out, nothing.

They were able to step back from life and realize the things that really, truly matter.

Now it’s my turn.

It’s my turn to make a dream come true.

It’s my turn to make a difference in the lives of future generations of Pediatric Cancer patients.

It’s my turn to be: hiker trash.

I have all the feels.

Thanks for the support, prayers and encouragement for the crazy ride I’m about to embark on.

Its officially and finally SHOW TIME.

Jen

“Sometimes you just know you have to do something crazy. You might be scared at first but when you are done you get a feeling, a feeling of achieving something out of your comfort zone. And that’s how you grow. That’s how you find out who you are and what you are actually able to do.”