Family group pictures before my walk!

Trying to set the timer, I didn't make it back to the group for this one!

We had a little get together of the family Sunday, August 17th, 2014! It was the best time for everyone to get together before my walk begins on the 31st of this month. I will be starting from Sullivan's Island, S. C. and I wanted to get a picture of everyone before I leave since they have to work and the children have school, making it hard for them to be at my start!

Made it this time, lol!

The hardest part of the journey will not be the walk, the miles, or even the dangers out there, but the fact that I will be leaving my wife, daughters, their husbands, and my grandchildren, giving up valuable time with them and walking into the unknown for who knows how long!

I appreciate their support and understanding for my journey, even though they really do not want me to go. And I must thank my wife for allowing me to go and fulfill my need to do the walk with the understanding that it is something I feel compelled to do in my life's journey, Thank You Dear for your patients and understanding! I know it has been a hard road for you to travel on with me through the years coping and trying to comprehend my struggles! When possible, my wife and I will be meeting up at times as I make my way across the country!

I appreciate everyone who is and will be following my walk, and I hope they come to understand my need to do it, and understand the awareness I am trying to bring about!

Black and white copy.

To all those that suffer from a Mental Illness, remember, you are not alone nor are you that illness, but an individual with feelings and that you are unique in your own way! There should be no shame or guilt for having a Mental Illness, after all it effects almost everyone in some way, shape or form whether they will admit it or not, and it's time we talk about it! And to those who don't understand Mental Illness or Suicide, my wish is you will not form a stigma about it, but read up on it from some of the sites listed on the page "To Learn More" to try and grasp an understanding about those who suffer from it. "Just get over it" is not something we can do, it just happens and it is not something we control. You don't tell a person with heart Disease or Cancer to "just get over it", nor should you tell a person with a Mental Illness that! The best thing you can do is try to support or just listen and be there for that person. 

Thank you for reading my posts and allowing me to share my thoughts and feelings with you!






I just feel the urge to walk!