The miles are adding up for this trip. Since we left on May 19th, we’ve added over 200 miles… to my wheelchair. Oh, were you thinking the RV?

I’ll have to ask Meg what the mileage is on Big Blue now. Stand by… 26383 miles. May of last year, when we bought it, it had 6800 miles.

It’s been a phenomenal trip so far. At every stage, we’ve met some of the best humans you could ever meet. It fills our hearts and souls with so much love and support. I simply can’t put into words what it means to have folks go out of their way to meet up. Meg keeps asking me, “How do you know these people? ” My answer, I don’t! But, we are all connected by three letters… ALS.

This connection goes beyond just knowing what it is. The frailty of life connected us. The desire to live in spite of ALS bonds us! A bond that creates a community of life-minded souls. Each one of us and our support team squeezes every ounce of life, out of the life “we have.”

Individuals like:

• Katrina Byrd
• Leslie Stewart Gafford
• Tina Fleming
• Elin Adcock
• Troy & Terry Fields
• Jules & MA (&family)
• Manny Alvarez
• Maria Rose
• Coral
• Renne Richardson Sheffield & LaDon
• Gary Godfrey & Carol & Bernadine
• Ann Chastain
• Cynthia Cox
• Madeline Kelso
• Shelly & Steve Hoover and their Clan

Not to mention the random person connected to this oh so rare disease every day. How rare, right! And how could I forget the friendly fellow travelers we meet at every location salt of the earth.

Every single connection that we make expands our message of hope. More importantly, expanding our love for our fellow humans. We quickly realize that we are more alike and alive than not. Each is seeking our own joy, love, fulfillment, and, of course, just to be allowed to live as we choose.

So… THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

For allowing us into your lives, if but for a brief moment. In our home, we say, “You’re a guest once, next time get your own drink!” Just point me in the direction of the fridge…

TJO