Day 44 La Verkin & Hurricane

Only a few miles left of my walk down Highway 89 from Salt Lake City to St. George. I found myself feeling introspective today as I came closer to St. George and the end of my journey. Have I met my goals? Have I made a difference? So many things I could have done differently, better, more.

What about the people I have encountered? I have been surprised and even amazed at what some people have done to help - donations of time as well as money, goods, services. Significant sacrifices. While other’s just didn’t seem to get it. Perhaps that is my fault. Some people seem to have been greatly affected by even the idea of what I have been doing. While others could only respond with, “good luck with that.”

I have learned some things about myself; or perhaps re-learned. Part of this was brought on by a realization that I needed to do more; to be more. Some years ago I saw a movie that had a great impact on me – Disney’s The Kid. I was drawn in by Bruce Willis’ character, Russ Duritz as he tried to explain his life to his 8-year old self. Young Rusty takes it all in, then neatly summarizes Duritz’s life, “So, I'm forty, I'm not married, I don't fly jets, and I don't have a dog? I grow up to be a loser.” I knew 8-year Steve would have felt the same way. The weight of that burden plagued me.

I remember dreams I had as a kid. What would I say to my 8-year old self? Who was I now? What had I become?  Today I feel I have a better answer for little Steve.