“That’s it,” Tyrone tells me this afternoon, “just keep spreading the word. If you can reach just one person, all your work will be worth it.”
I connected my steps across Warren County today– to a half mile shy of the Virginia border. Despite the fact that Warren County was once North Carolina’s wealthiest, before the Civil War, nowadays Warren County is North Carolina’s poorest. I walked this afternoon through “Quick City,” a corner of Warren County without any impressive a reputation. To my delight, however, I met only kind and hospitable souls. I’ll remain in Warren County through most of this week, speaking to schools tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, and potentially Friday as well, before resuming the miles and crossing into Virginia. I’m very enthusiastic about everyone I’m about to meet!
Tyrone is 100% correct: even if all my years and miles amount to reaching only one person, all will have been well worth it. That said, unlike any fundraiser, in which progress is measured in the end by dollars contributed, my walk is one of faith– I’ll never be able to measure or know what ultimate impact I may have had on anyone.
That’s OK though– for even if nothing better, I’m more than satisfied for simply having followed the voice of my soul, for having made the effort, and for having met all of you and more across the miles…
Little Bit is her name, and she showed me the tattoo of her name, on the right side of her neck. I was thirsty under the emerging spring sun, and Little Bit made sure I was well hydrated for the remainder of the distance ahead of me. **THANKFUL!!**
Ms. Jenny O’Meara, who teaches math at the local high school, meets me at the Warren County Library today to discuss and plan my speaking to her students on Tuesday. Jenny O, a Peace Corps veteran, is now in the second year of a Teach for America contract. She’s all about presenting real-world examples to students (Amen!). Jenny loves TFA, and has inspired me to look into possibilities with TFA as well. I’ll speak to her students for the first half of the class tomorrow, and she’s generated math problems related to the Walk for the second half of the class. (Fun!)