Day 6
Have a nice day!
Break time..
Domino has a full belly
So do I!
I woke up this morning and had no idea that I was going to walk 18 miles. I was hoping to take a break from the walk and take it easy today. I looked up the weather and today was forecasted to be perfect and tomorrow and Sunday are going to be really bad. So I decided that I’d get some miles in and take advantage of the sunshine. While I was getting ready a very cool guy named Tim wanted to swing by and say hello. Tim has been clean and sober for 31 months. He came to me and brought some gift cards. Which was a great idea. Jenny is at full capacity so I take any more stuff with me. We talked and I related to a lot of what he said. It was a good start to my day to see such a good person. Someone who has worked hard as hell to better his life and can now appreciate it.
There wasn’t much that happened walk- wise today. There were a lot of hills. It has been the first time I’ve had to walk up and down hills since I started. The wind was also really powerful in the afternoon. Both of those things slowed me down a little. We were doing great for the first half of the day. The second half was rough. Every step hurt and Domino was struggling too. I had a hard time finding motivation but I still just kept on going.
I was found by one of the mothers with the TAM group. She drove a long way to meet me and to pay for my hotel tonight. She also threw in a prepaid gift card with a very generous amount of money on it. She had water for domino and I to refill our bottles with. We sat and talked and I really needed to hear the things she was saying to me. Tim brought up some good points this morning also. I think that I am starting to realize how important this walk is. For the first few days I haven’t been able to think much because of all of the chaos and I’ve been trying to adjust to this thru-hiker lifestyle.
This walk is starting to affect so many people. I had no idea that this would happen. People are sending me messages telling me that I am giving them motivation to stay sober. Do you know how big of a deal that is?! It makes me cry with joy. I also have been able to help with people who are grieving from the loss of a loved one. I remember how important that it was for me to find those people that helped me so much on the critical days. The fact that I am able to do that for someone else just fills my heart with happiness.
I am ready to take on this role and do what I can to play a part in bringing this epidemic to a tipping point. I am so glad that everyone of you is helping me as well as the Angels in the sky that are bringing us all together. People need to know that it is time to live in a society where we don’t judge people with substance abuse disorder and/or the people who have died from an overdose. Whether they were addicted or just trying it out. They are all people. They all have at least ONE person that loves them. I am going to keep this up and try to be as loud as I can. I will use this walk to get on the news all over the country and reach the hearts of America and try to get them to open up their minds to help people in recovery.
I had no idea how many metaphors this walk is to someone in recovery until I started. There is an end result. I have a goal. But it is a lonnnnng way away. The only way to get there is one day at a time. And the only way to get THERE is one step at a time…
You can do anything if you do it for the right reasons. That is what keeps me going. You all are making me and my family so happy by showing your support for me. I just want to say to all of you that if it wasn’t for Brittany that I wouldn’t be here. This is my way of keeping her story going.
There is a lot that I want to personally get out of this walk too. I am sure that I will get that. I already feel like a better person. Inside and out. It’s been such a wild journey already and it hasn’t even been a week yet. I tear up when I think of how many people this will touch by the time it’s over.
Thank you all so much for helping. I will need you all to get me through this. I hope I can do the same for you in return. Let’s make this thing special!! Somewhere, someone’s life will be saved from this. Someone will be inspired to do something that betters their happiness. Someone will stop using.
Have a good weekend!
What a great thing you are doing in memory of your sister Brittany. I am very sorry for your loss. I know your pain. My son David passed away in November 8 at the age of 33. David was an advocate for recovery. He used his voice and touched many lives. Just as you are doing. I am certain that Brittany and David are walking right along side you! God bless!
Love from Maine
So proud of what you’re accomplishing. My grandson was so stoked about having met you & Domino. Hold onto my number & if you need anything, another road trip’s not out of the realm. DC is not too far. The word is getting out there. The guy you met today, Tim had sent me a message. God is putting his Angels in place. Don’t know where you are tonight but I pray you’re warm and able to rest well. I’m going to keep doing what I can to get the word of your work out there. Your parents have raised a selfless, caring Amazing young man. Give Domino a pat on the head and hug. God Bless.
Love you and Domino! keep on keepin on!
Wow Brett! You are also an amazing writer! I always knew how special you are but damn! I’m glad the rest of the world can see it too! I keep up with your daily blogs and really enjoy reading them! More people read them than you think! I’m so happy this thing is turning out to be bigger than you expected! Makes it worth it all! No matter how further distance and time keeps bringing us, I’ll be behind your big scene reading about your days and adventures! I miss ya! Please stay safe! XoXo!
You are truly a beautiful soul. May God Bless your every step.
Hey Brett— I’ve been keeping up with your blog; you are a gifted and talented writer. Moreover, you are really an amazing dude. I’m most proud of your courage and determination to make a difference in the world. You and Domino are true soldiers .
thank you and good luck. Keep up the courage to be truth and the peace that follows. Maybe see you if your path crosses Madison, Wi
Hey, my friend, I am so blessed as to have found your website. I am a recovering alcoholic and have been sober now for 25 years as of the 18th of this month (March). I know what addiction is all about and how much it can truly take over and ruin your life. It almost took mine. If not for the grace of God I would not be here writing this and letting you know how proud I am of you and the efforts of what you are doing. Drugs and alcohol are no respecters of persons. It will take you and twist you to their will. Until all you have left is death or a Higher Power. In the 25 years I have been sober I have seen many many many people die from this disease and not just physically. Some people I have met are still alive physically but are dead spiritually, some mentally, and some emotionally.
I am also a victim of someone I loved that had died from someone being high. And I took the opposite path you did. I chose to pick up and get drunk. Completely ruined my life. I lost my house, 2 cars, a very prominent business, ended up on the streets of Los Angeles, broke, homeless, and drunk. My drug of choice was alcohol.
I would love to be able to keep you on my friends list in Facebook. I have an idea that could help you raise more awareness to your cause. So please look me up on Facebook and we can talk.
Until later, may God continue blessing both you and Domino on your long journey across America. Who knows, maybe I can set up a welcoming party for you when you get to Missouri as that is where I am living at now. Just know that my prayers are with you and Domino for safe travels and Hopeful messages to everyone out there. God bless, brother.
Your friend in Christ.
Randy Baker
Hey Randy. I searched for “Randy Baker” and came up with a lot of people. I am not sure which one is you. Please feel free to friend request me and we can talk there. You’re amazing! 25 years is awesome man!
The smileyface pic you posted on day 6 is very meaningful for me…LOVED IT! (I will explain in 2nd paragraph) I have & had many addicts in my life but it was my oldest son’s heroin addiction and a daughter-in-law’s (married to another son) meth addiction that brought me to my knees. Circumstance awarded me full custody of my 2 year old grandson for more than 6mos after his mother ran off on a binge and never came back while my younger son (her husband) was serving his country under the sea. I can and do educate myself about addiction, but I don’t think I will ever make complete sense of it. I have a Nar-Anon family group that has helped me a lot over the past couple years. I’ve found it’s principles keep me from slipping back into the chaos that comes with loving an addict. I’m fortunate to have found a sponsor who’s guidance through the 1st and 2nd round of step work is appreciated. Surrender and faith are difficult for me and I need to work regularly on my awarness and gratitude or consious contact with my Higher Power. If I don’t, I tend to fall back to resentment and hoplessness.
During a particular low day, I had to push myself real hard to find a reason to smile. I decided to take my grandson to a local sunflower field in full bloom. We took a bunch of photos and at first I had to force a smile but it wasn’t long before it became more natural. I mean, it was a perfect sunny day and who could not be uplifted swiming in a sea of sunflowers, right? When we got home I began choosing a few pictures that I could put on facebook. Low and behold there was a smileyface on one of the sunflowers just over the shoulders of my grandson and I. Earlier, someone must have picked out the seeds to make the face. I never even realized it was there at the time we took the shots. How funny … I went out looking for a smile and there it was. If that’s not a boost/gift from HP I don’t know what is. Since then I look for random smileyfaces just like the one you came across. This practice keeps me hopeful and positive.
Thanks for posting that picture, thanks for what you are doing in honor of your sis (so very sorry for your loss) and thanks a million for allowing us to share your experience. I am sure this will be life changing for you and that you will touch a lot of people just like you did me. Stay lifted in spirit and we’d love to welcome you to Kansas City if you’re passing through. ~ Betty
Wow what a great story! I will remember that as I pass by the sunflower fields. I will be going right through Kansas City! 🙂