Day 17...Footprints

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself.  ~John Gregory Brown

The past few weeks my heart has been heavy waiting to hear each day from my dear friend Ali about how her father was doing. Mr. McJunkin (Ali's dad) has been battling with cancer for over 18 months and had, time after time, beaten the odds to live another day, another week, another month, another year, beyond what the doctor's expected. The last time I saw Mr. McJunkin was at Ali's wedding last July. He wasn't supposed to have lived that long and that was over 14 months ago. He walked his daughter down the isle and danced the night away with his wife and family. I can still see him smiling. 

I met Mr. McJunkin in the fall of 1992, when Ali and I both began our sophomore year at The Lawrenceville prep school. I remember Mr. McJunkin's enchanting enthusiasm, humble wisdom and contagious spirit. Mr. McJunkin became an integral part of my time at Lawrenceville and, for as long as I've known Ali (20 years), he has been more than a father to Ali, he has been her best friend. 

Today, 50 miles into the ride, I received a message from Ali saying her father had passed. It took my breath away and I was overwhelmed with grief. I pulled over on the side of the road with a heavy chest and took a moment of silence for the loss of a great man.  

Mr. McJunkin + Ali in the late 1970's

It is with deepest respect and indescribable sorrow that I write this blog today in honor of Mr. Thomas McJunkin and his amazing family.  Love to you all. 

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Route 11, TN

Today we rode 64 miles from Mooresburg, TN to Karns, TN.