It will take me days to reach Fredericksburg from here in Henrico County, VA. I have no idea if I’ll be hosted between here and there. I will reach Ashland this evening, but do not know where I’ll lay my head at day’s end. Will I receive an invitation before I arrive? Will I walk into the police station, announce my project, and seek some form of assistance? Will I find some invisible spot behind a church to set up camp? I don’t know yet.
I don’t know quite how/where today will end, nor how the rest of this week’s days will end. What’s most important though is that I move forward with the full faith that whatever comes to pass through these coming days and nights– for better or worse– I’m ready to happily grow with the outcomes.
Interestingly, miles like these make for some of the most interesting writing!

Just over three weeks ago, a very sharp piece of glass stabbed into my left foot on the side of Richmond’s River Road. This has become perhaps the most fascinating single story of all my 4,500 miles. Here’s what happened:

On my way into Richmond, I’d heard the story of a young lady who last summer had been the victim of a tragic hit-and-run incident on Richmond’s River Road. She was on her way home from work shortly after dark, was following all the rules of the road, and was adorned with multiple blinking bicycle lights. Sadly, she did not survive the incident.
I’d heard her story, yet didn’t even know her name. Nonetheless, I detected a very powerful sensation upon reaching her white bicycle (“ghost bike”) memorial on River Road, and I stopped to meditate for several minutes. Through the concluding minutes of the meditation, I felt a very powerful energy flowing through me. A very bright, wordless message told me to be strong, be prepared for what will continue to unfold of this life (challenges and all), and with every experience, to do my part to create a better, brighter world for all. (In addition to all others, I too have 100% of the potential to do all of the above.) This was a message for me– but not only me– it is a message for you too.
After several minutes of clutching the handlebars, eyes closed, I stepped back behind the ghost bike, bowed in divine gratitude and strength, turned forward, bowed to the road ahead, and then– fully energized– strongly stepped forward. I didn’t even make it seven steps before feeling the sensation of some sharp, earth-residing object stabbing deeply into my left foot. Before looking, I was hoping that it had felt scarier than it would appear, but as soon as I looked down, I found a deep laceration, foot and sandal full of blood. An empty, partially shattered glass vase was resting near the bike, and I hadn’t seen it before feeling it.
I stepped off to the side of the road, sat down on the earth, assessed the wound, applied pressure, and telephoned Chris & Sally, who were hosting me over Cinco de Mayo weekend. Chris came out immediately and took me to a nearby hospital, where I ended up spending hours in the E.R., leaving only after receiving a grand total of seven stitches.
Though happy satisfaction isn’t the first emotion I felt upon first seeing my blood-soaked foot, I’ve been forced to overcome so many unforeseen hurdles across the thousands of miles, that I knew this would simply be one more. And as has been the case with all of life’s challenges, as Rumi writes: “the wound is the place the light enters.”
Sitting in the hospital E.R. that afternoon, awaiting my stitches, I felt the urge to learn more about the young bicyclist who’d lost her life. What was her name? What was the story? Who was her family? What was the follow-up?
Getting busy on Google, I learned the story of Lanie Kruszewski, age 24, who lost her life on the evening of Sunday, July 29, 2012, while bicycling home from her restaurant job. The driver initially fled the scene, yet was later identified, tried and convicted by a jury, and is awaiting a probable three-year sentence for felony hit and run. Friends & community have come to strongly support the Kruszewski Family in the wake of this tragedy. I found a website created by her Uncle Tim, with over a dozen pics. I found pics of Lanie, her mother, and her two older sisters. And, most compelling, I found a column written last November by her mother, Patty, as the family was preparing for the coming holidays without their youngest.

Here’s the final portion of Patty K’s column, “A time to give thanks – no joke” (full link below):

“…A JMU student I have never met recently wrote to say that the campaign to improve cyclist safety has reached all the way to Harrisonburg – and to suggest that Lanie’s death may have already saved other lives.

The list of kindnesses goes on, and on, and on.

In no way do I mean to downplay the pain and devastation this tragedy has wrought upon our family, or to deny that there are times I despair of surviving another day in the void Lanie left – or another night of accident images playing non-stop through my head. Her death can never be regarded as anything other than a horrible waste of a life, and any good that may result can only make it slightly less of a waste.

But I have been in this crazy cycle of grief long enough to know now that my worst nights are invariably followed by better days, new encounters, new kindnesses and new blessings.

Like any parent, I would have given anything for the choice to take Lanie’s place on that bike, and to allow her to live her life to its natural end.

I didn’t get that choice. But there are other equally unchosen paths that I would have taken right to the place I am now.

If someone had asked me long ago whether I would choose to be Lanie’s mom – knowing she would only live 24 years, and that I would have to go through this terrible, wrenching pain – my answer would be, “Hell, yes.”

And if I’d been given the choice to have Lanie for 24 years, or to have someone else for a lifetime, I would have chosen Lanie in a heartbeat.

And for the gift of those years, I can’t help but be thankful.”

(full column: http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/Opinions/article/a_time_to_give_thanks_no_joke1118 )

The words of Lanie’s mother, Patty Kruszewski, really spiritually resonated with me. I had to write to her. A few short days later, I spent a couple of hours carefully creating the introductory message I wanted to Patty Kruszewski, and she responded to me within hours.

A handful of days later, I met Patty Kruszewski, in addition to Leah & Jackie, Lanie’s sisters, and Daniel, Lanie’s boyfriend. I spent half the day with them.

I asked them if they’d like to join me from Lanie’s ghost bike memorial, and walk a few miles with me, once my foot was ready to do so. Patty, Daniel, and Leah were all available to do so, and joined me this Memorial Day weekend for seven sunny miles from Lanie’s ghost bike, walking up into Henrico County. I devoted the day’s walk to bicyclist & pedestrian safety, paying homage to Lanie’s enduring spirit across our steps.

I’ve come to spend plenty of time with Patty these past couple of weeks, even accepting her kind hosting offer these past five nights, in the home where the Kruszewski children grew up.
“Lanie bit you,” Patty K tells me, as I acknowledge that we were meant to meet. A big part of me would like to spend several more weeks with Patty & family before departing from Richmond.

As I prepare to slowly sew up these final mile hundred miles to Washington, D.C., I couldn’t be more touched at the magic of the amazing new friendships with Patty, Daniel, Leah & Jackie… I’m not sure just how soon, but our paths will be crossing again ~

…

I’ve really enjoyed spending five nights this week getting to know Annie Reinke & Family. Annie is a librarian at James River High School; we met after art teacher Kelly Alvis Bisogno saw me on the side of the road, walking into Richmond, and later contacted me, asking me if I’d like to speak to students at James River High. Three days after I arrived to Richmond, Kelly organized about a thousand students for me to speak to throughout my day there, and the first group of students I spoke to was in the library, early in the morning.
Annie said hello, asking me, “Would you like a bowl of organic oatmeal?”
Immediately, her positive, enthusiastic energy registered and resonated with me.
Annie and other teachers later met me for dinner in Richmond, and given that the stitched up foot has kept me in the area longer than anticipated, she and her husband, Tom, invited me to spend multiple nights at their quiet and cozy suburban home.
Annie & family introduced me to much of “The Best of Richmond” during my time here: people, history, dining, views, museum, canines, etcetera-etcetera ~

Thanks so much for everything, Annie, Tom, and Morgan!!

Annie & Tom, with son Morgan.

Annie invites me out with her fellow teacher friends to fine dining…

Fun, fun, fun…

Judy, Annie’s 95-year-old, sharp-as-a-tack neighbor, keeps herself quite occupied. Judy walks daily, and this is a bin full of sticks and twigs that Judy picked up throughout her property.

Tom jokes with his wife about gender roles in the kitchen…

…and here’s the result ~

Annie shows me Richmond’s history, Richmond’s views…

Richmond, viewed from the east

Cozy Quarters at Tom & Annie’s

These past few days, following Nurse Jean Marie’s tele-advice, I’ve been largely staying off of my injured left foot– with the hope that I would see a tremendous uptick in the healing process. I placed iodine on the wound twice daily; I bagged it to protect it from shower water; I walked minimally on it; and, I kept it more elevated than normal during much of the day. These were the original written instructions from the hospital; however, the written instructions also told me that I could “shower as normal” after 24 hours– and the MD guestimated that I could resume normal walking after 4-7 days. Following these guidelines, the condition of the wound worsened. After consulting Nurse Jean Marie, however, and following her 50+ years of on-the-job wisdom, this weekend I finally reached the point where I felt very assured of my healing progress– no longer wondering if I’d have to return to medical professionals for any further analysis, guidance, and bills…
Luckily, wonderful hosts in the Richmond area have warmly invited me in over the course of my additional days here. I’ve spent a recent handful of days with previous host Dawn Alba. I’ve spent Saturday night and most of Sunday with Jerry & Ann Swiatoviak. What a pleasure to invest time getting to know them all!!

Hosts Jerry & Ann Swiatoviak point out what is and what was here on the James River. Early explorers wrote that the river is so full of canoes, you can step across the canoes from one side of the river to the other.

James River, May 2013

James River, May 2013

James River, May 2013– you’re more likely to find rowing teams here now.

Jerry & Ann Swiatoviak hosted me this weekend near James River High School, where Ann works in the library with my next host: Annie Reinke. They invited me to stay after seeing me speak to the students at James River High, and understanding that I need more time than anticipated for my foot to heal adequately.

Ann Swiatoviak prepares a delicious French Toast Recipe!

Breakfast with Jerry & Ann Swiatoviak

We distance walkers lost one of our own this week: Richard Swanson, 42, of Seattle, was struck and killed on Oregon coastal Highway 101 this past Tuesday, May 14. The driver of the vehicle that struck Richard is cooperating with police…

“My big day is only a week away and I’m looking to make sleeping arrangement as I head south. I plan to head to Portland first then head west to the pacific coast. Then follow the pacific coast all the way down before cutting over to Brazil. If any one has friends or family that would be interested in hosting for a night that would be awesome!” –April 24 –Richard Swanson

I-90 Bridge, Seattle

Shirt design

…

Update from “Team Richard” as he called us):
We want to express our most sincere gratitude on behalf of Richard’s family, friends, and Team Richard for all the condolences, love, and continued support that the world has given to Richard Swanson. We are sure he is smiling down at all the posts, kind words, and love being shared.
He was so thankful for the generosity of each person he met along the way. He not only shared his excitement in his daily posts, but he always made time to tell his team how much he loved meeting each person along the way and how you all touched his life. He was excited everyday about his continued growing support. If he could see his page now! We are so proud of him.
We wanted to share a couple of updates with all who love him. Richard is donating his organs. He would appreciate that his super x-ray vision and beautiful blue eyes will give new life to someone and give them super powers too.
Seattle: We would like to have people gather at Die Bierstube, 6106 Roosevelt Way NE, in Seattle this Sunday, May 19th (Richard’s birthday) from 1-4 p.m. to celebrate the life of Richard Swanson. We are hoping to pack the establishment with people who loved him and was inspired by him! Please join us to celebrate the start of Richard’s Journey to Brazil.
Team Richard, May 15, 2013

PS: For those who’ve commented on my safety as I continue my journey, be assured that I’m taking measures to remain as safe as possible on the road, as I’ve learned of the many potential threats across the miles… 

Nurse Ivery carefully removes the seven stitches from my foot.

In early 2010, Jean Marie & I met as I was walking through Lompoc, California. A nurse with over 50 years experience, Jean Marie has met a wide range of people, has countless wonderful stories to share, and her heart emanates love.
While Jean Marie visits Lompoc every year, she has been living in northern Virginia for many years. Though I haven’t walked as far as her home just yet, she came to meet me today, off my route.
After a wonderful, I-haven’t-seen-you-in-years hug, she shuttled me to her cozy home, where she proceeded to remove all seven stitches in my foot. She gave me instructions for caring for the slowly-healing laceration across the days ahead, and I’m planning now to spend yet another week in Richmond, with a tentative departure date of Saturday, May 25.
I really look forward to another visit from Jean Marie in the miles ahead, as she likes the idea of joining me for my crossing from Virginia into Washington, D.C.
Thanks for your service to the Universe, Jean Marie!!!

Thank You, Nurse Ivery!

I walked about a mile today, and despite the insignificant fact that my recovery is taking longer than anticipated, my stitched-up left foot seems to be progressing well. (Yay!!) To add to this, the road scar will be ugly enough to be “cool.”
The laceration was very deep, and the greater area near the stitches is still quite sensitive, so I’m continuing to be cautious with it. (I tried walking over a mile a few days ago, and paid for it with pain over subsequent days.)
I sustained a serious puncture wound while training in August of 2009, a month before the Walk. I couldn’t even walk for days. I tried to rush the recovery, and quickly learned the important lesson to give injuries their necessary time to recover.
I’m tentatively planning on walking 4-5 miles this weekend, walking with new friends made as a result of the injury itself– a fascinating, still-unfolding story that I cannot wait to ultimately share…
It’s hard to have to spend sooo much time indoors and immobile as some of spring’s very best weather breezes by; however, as I recover, I’m being hosted by some truly wonderful peeps…
Strength, Peace, Light & Love to All!

Slowly & steadily she recovers

As my wounded foot heals, Rocio, my girlfriend, “kidnaps” me for a few days off the route…
I’m so happy that she & I get to spend four days together!!

Rocio & George

Today was National Teacher Appreciation Day.

I imagine you can think of at least one teacher who has had an enduring impact on you through the years, can’t you? Many of us, myself included, can think of several.

Elka Amorim, my current host, who teaches at the high school level, told me stories last night of the impoverished schools where she’s taught, in the Bronx, elsewhere in NYC, and currently in Richmond. She tells me of many exhausting 12-hour days at the school. She tells me of what it’s like trying to succeed with students whose parents have absolutely no involvement in promoting their kids’ education, and of loose-cannon teenagers who are anything but easy to teach. Over the miles, speaking to many schools, I myself have come to learn how challenging it can be to keep kids focused– and I don’t even have to deal with test-related stress.

From the many teachers I’ve met across the miles, I hear of how so many states and school districts have resigned education to a “teach-to-the-test” model, which sadly sweeps away opportunities of learning how to actually thrive in the world, instead emphasizing the filling in the correct box on some standardized test.
Overworked and underpaid teachers really dislike being demonized when students don’t always fill in the proper box on the test sheet– especially when many students come to class unprepared, unsupported, malnourished, abused, and more…

To every teacher who works hard to create a better, brighter today & tomorrow for America’s youth: YOU ARE MY HEROES. I give you far more credit than a ballplayer who makes a hundred times more than you. I give you far more credit than dirty politicians who pay themselves far more than you. I give you far more credit than those who enrich themselves by walking over others.

THANK YOU Rocío Sotomayor, Brooke Drury Shamhart, Travis Burnham, Kelly Alvis Bisogno, Jennifer Richard Blackwelder, Amanda Major, Julie Richard, Krista Schroth, Jenny O’Meara, Leigh Humphries, Ann Crawford, Rachel Parker, Jen Lucas, Winslow Carter, Coach Cheek and so many more for all of your wonderful efforts to create a better, brighter world for our children ~

Hard working Ms. O’Meara, who teaches in Warren County– poorest of all of North Carolina’s 100 counties– thinks day & night of real-world math problems to apply to her classes. She’s working tirelessly to effectively guide, assist and inspire her scores of students.