Lake Effect
by Brian D. Meeks
Chapter 27 Day 27
A boy, some years ago, stands next to a pond. The crickets are chatting about something, but he doesn’t notice. It is dark and the full moon makes it easy to see. If his mother calls, he’ll hear her, as the cabin they rented isn’t too far up the hill. The water is still. He tosses a smooth round stone, about the size of a quarter, out into the black water. The plunk makes him smile as he watches the ripples grow out in beautiful perfect circles.
The last five days have seen an 85% spike in site traffic. It is the waves you the reader are sending out with every “Share” and “Like” on FB. It feels like momentum is picking up.
The day began with four eggs and a glass of milk for Steve. Having an appetite is always a good sign. He hit the road by 9:30 a.m. and within three quarters of a mile found a bike trail. It was a change for the better. He had barely gotten running when he met Angela Josephine. She had seen a headline about Steve’s run on the website http://www.theticker.tc/ and decided to see if she could find him. She didn’t know where he would be, or if Steve would even be on the trail. It just seemed like a good place to start looking. She was right.
There is something special when friends and family come out to support Steve, but when complete strangers show up, it is simply amazing. Angela is a singer and songwriter, who has a really cool site at http://angelajosephine.com/. Her Twitter handle is @angelajosephine. She also runs.
As he started out this morning, Steve’s inner voice started up. When the day was done he wrote about his thoughts, “Today, would be a bit different. The word was out in Traverse City, and it sounded like a few people would be running with me at some point. These would be people I have never met and I wondered how it would all play out. Into my mind the thought jumped ‘what if you don’t like them, what if they run too fast, or too slow (highly unlikely)’ This was a short lived conversation. I am not the person I was when this began.
“People are treasures. Not just those we know and hold dear, but all people. We are all connected. All one. I miss my friends. I miss my family. Not because I am lonely. I have never been more at peace with being with me. I miss them because they are treasures. Each and every one of them make my world a better place. Today, I made new friends and found new treasures. Before getting all the way out of Traverse City a photographer for the paper came out and took some photos. When it was done we shook hands…but it was a new type of handshake for me. I shook his hand with meaning/feeling and looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘Thank You,’ and I made damn sure he knew I meant it. People are treasures and all my hugs and handshakes will mean more from now on. To each of you who read this know you are a treasure to me.”
Angela was there to run and she wouldn’t be the last. When Angela and Steve stopped for a break there was a new visitor. Lynda Twardowski Wheatley had arrived from The Ticker, by bike, to continue the interview she and Steve had started on the phone, Thursday. The break was nice.
A few days ago Jarred had used up the last of the Hammer Heed drink mix. It is high in electrolytes and Jarred mixes it with the Hammer whey, to make a recovery drink that has helped Steve keep running. Angela made a call to a local sports store that she thought might carry the drink and when she found out they had it, she borrowed Lynda’s bike and rode into town. She came back and donated a giant container (80 servings) to the cause. Steve and Jarred were both touched and thankful.
Just as the interview was finishing up, a friend of Lynda’s arrived. Lynn, with her faithful running buddy, Stoshu, Lynda and Steve headed out for a four mile run. Jarred, the best running pit crew ever, zipped up ahead to the two mile mark and was waiting with drinks.
Stoshu, was especially appreciative of the water, and though the use of non-verbal communication (kisses) said, “Thanks, Jarred, this is tasty and you’re the man!”
The running continued along the lake. There were beaches with volley ball courts and lots of people enjoying the day. Looking out over the lake it ran from a sandy color, turned purple, and then faded into a deep blue as it reached for the horizon. There were harbors, with nice boats, and the run along the trail was a delight.
When the day’s miles ended they were in Bingham Township, having passed through Traverse City. Jarred found a spot to park the RV behind the Bingham Township Hall. Lynda’s husband is a police officer in the county to the north and she said she would have him let the local constables know that Steve and Jarred were mostly harmless. Stoshu, would definitely vouch for them, if it came to that.
Lynda was able to post her interview with Steve. http://www.theticker.tc/story/one-man-40-days-40-marathons. It is a good interview, and I recommend clicking over there and checking out. Then, when you are done, use the little buttons at the top to share it on Facebook, and watch the ripples grow.
Each day, more people are making a habit of sharing these posts and that has helped the word spread. The donations keep flowing, too. The total is up to $26,618, all because of the good souls who are helping Steve along the trail.
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