I met a woman many many years ago, Julie, who shared that she was on a pilgrimage around Michigan to promote a camp she was creating - Morningstar. Wearing a backpack, shorts, a billowing green shirt, boots and carrying a simple walking stick, she was gypsy'ish, almost hippy'ish, in appearance. A great conversationalist, I enjoyed hearing her very expansive story.
I've thought of Julie, often, over the years, and wondered if her dream ever came to fruition; mainly, I was secretly envious of her as I always carried a dream to be on a pilgrimage to something or somewhere. Life and responsibilities intervened, and yet I never lost my desire to create my very own challenge with a cause, like Julie.
Then I got to thinking (occasionally a bad thing when excess time presents itself - ask my husband). Why not do something extreme and allow me to be the cause, purpose and subject? My kids are gone, am retired (there has to be a better word for this - retirement almost says to me that at a certain age, we are tired...thinking on that), my husband and children are very supportive. Bam! A walking, cycling, spinning and elliptical adventure of 1500-2016 miles from September 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016, was birthed...perfect!

This year has been fraught with illness and weakness and deaths and turmoil - yet, also hope of actualizing who I am in the face of the secret unknown, to make me "better" so I can better serve and help others, unselfishly and willingly.
Visualizing the end goal - 489 days to achieve 1500-2016 miles. Gotta get my walking sticks (many) out and cleaned of spider webs. I'm pumped!