On Friday morning I sent out what I thought could be my final plea to my friends on Facebook letting them know that my deadline to meet my fundraising goal is April 29th. I was hoping that over the next 4 weeks I’d be able to raise most of the money and that I’d cover the rest with my own donation. I had about $1200 left to raise as of Friday morning.
After sending the note I packed up a day bag and headed up to Michigan to spend the day with my sister and nephew in our beloved second home in Sawyer, MI. It has been a really rough week for me health-wise and I’d just started to feel better that morning. The three of us spent the day relaxing on the beach and then later back at the house on the back deck. Emmett took me on a tour of the backyard, a place I’ve been many times, but four-year-olds do have a way of showing you the familiar in a whole new way.
We had a few snacks and talked about life and changes and this whole journey we’ve been on since our parents died.
We went to bed early and got up early the next day. Emmett asked me a lot of questions about what’s been going on with my tummy (more on that later) and finally, FINALLY, I checked my emails to see if anyone had heeded my plea.
I’d like to keep private the amounts that people have donated or who donated what because the truth is that ALL of it has an impact. Every last dollar. Let’s just say that within 24 hours $1200 had been raised.
I was stunned.
My heart swelled.
I felt an odd, and thankfully fleeting, pang of guilt. It’s a funny thing feeling supported by people you care about. It feels incredible, but there is a moment of worry that you’re worth it or that what you’re doing is worth it. I shook that off as fast as I could.
At my mom’s funeral I spoke about the importance of ‘showing up’ for the people you care about. That’s what has happened for me through this process. I got the privilege of knowing what it feels like when people ‘show up’.
I’ve been struggling a little lately with my own desire to show up for all of you who donated and are still donating. As I mentioned I’ve been dealing with some health issues and that along with my innate tendency to meander on these training hikes has left me feeling concerned about how this whole Grand Canyon hike will turn out. Will my hike be worthy of your donations? I really hope so. I promise you that I will sweat and pant and look up every once and awhile to take it all in. And there will be photos. lots and lots of photos.
It’s not too late to still show up. I’ve met my goal, but it would be pretty amazing to surpass that goal. Should we go for $5000?
Thanks everybody. You are just the best.
love and heartswells,
Erin
