Heading North

Las Ramblas, Barcelona

When traveling, I have always enjoyed opportunities to visit with fellow travelers. There are always stories to be told, travel tips to be shared, and often, tender (or tough) moments that are experienced. Lynn and I had just wandered through a restaurant (Lynn wanted a table by the window) and settled on one on the sidewalk.)

We had not yet ordered when Malcolm and Sarah wheeled/walked up. Sarah said, “Malcolm, you can’t get that thing over the step,” referring to his motorized wheelchair. He said, “But the food looks good!” I invited them to sit with us at the table on the sidewalk. She said, “Are you sure? Don’t get him started telling tales.”

And our evening of fun began. Malcolm, a retired professor from England, and Sarah, a retired public school teacher from Texas, shared their humor and warmth in a most engaging way. A victim of polio, Malcolm laughs and shares his joy, and lives life to the fullest—and the pain never ceases. Sarah and Malcolm have been together just three years, yet they share the spark and magic of a lifetime of love.

We are surrounded by lives lived often so painfully, yet lives filled with hope. Laughter comes. Love flows. Hope abounds.

I really believe, when we reach out and share our resources—yes, our money, our time, a little bit of ourselves—even with people we will never meet, something good happens. Our world is better for it. So, I continue the journey toward Stockholm. I will finish the race. And hope and pray that through your kindness, some folks in Nepal, in the midst of their pain, will smile. And have hope again.

Run Walk Hike Bike: It all helps those in Nepal

After this weekend's tragic earthquake, Lifeway Foods have pledged an additional $25,000 to support the World Food Programme's (WFP) relief efforts there. For the next 100,000 Charity Miles, no matter who you walk, run or bike using the app, (See my Run 4 a Cause page) Lifeway will donate an additional 25¢ per mile to WFP. (A walk for WFP= 50¢ per mile.) I will give this month's training miles to the cause. 

WFP has been working with the government of Nepal for years to prepare for an earthquake like this one-- even rehearsing responses through extensive simulation exercises. 

Thanks to this preparation, their emergency teams were some of the first on the ground. They have been providing logistical support and distributing food. They are even using satellite imagery to identify the number and locations of people affected. And they are providing services for the entire humanitarian community (such as transportation and storage facilities) to support other organizations' relief efforts.

Please click here for more information on WFP's relief efforts in Nepal, To make a personal donation, please click here.