Inspired

I have a new friend. I've texted her just about every day this past month (I swear, I wasn't stalking her). Her name is Andra Watkins and on Wednesday, April 3rd she finished walking the 444-mile of the Natchez Trace. It took her 34 days. 15 miles a day. Day after day.

Why would anyone put herself through this, you ask? She was promoting her just released and self-published book To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis—which is beautiful and gripping and a must-read.

Andra is funny, warmhearted and fiercely determined (obviously!). She chronicled her journey with daily posts and videos in which she answered readers' questions. It wasn't easy. She cried, and she threatened to quit, and she cried some more, and when she thought she could no longer put one foot in front of the other, she stumbled across a field of daffodils and lay in it until she found renewed courage to get up and walk. 444 miles! My knees feel weak at the thought, but Andra pushed on, and she finished victorious on April 3rd under the cheers and thunderous applause of faithful supporters who had gathered to welcome her.

She made me cry and she made me laugh, but mostly she reminded me that dreams won't come true unless you give them enough wind to fly.

Thank you, Andra, for the inspiration, for letting me virtually (though I wished many times I had been there in the flesh) accompany you on your journey. You may have done a number on your feet, but you launched your book into the world and you filled our hearts with awe and smiles. 

If you haven't picked up your copy of To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis, you can purchase it through these outlets. Read it! You won't regret it.