Hello friends!
I know it’s been a couple of days since my last blog, but everything’s been so incredibly jam-packed that I haven’t had time (or energy!) to type.
For the past few days, the Walk team and I have been making our way through the Panhandle. We walked into Pensacola on Monday evening and were very touched to be welcomed by a small crowd that came out to show their support in spite of the cold.
Tuesday – Valentine’s Day! – was one of the highlights of Walk in My Shoes thanks to Stump, Badger, Arizona and Murph, our incredible escorts from Bikers Against Child Abuse. If you haven’t heard of BACA, you have got to check these guys out! These very brave individuals dedicate so much of their time to helping abused children – whether it means sitting in court with the child or being stationed outside his or her house at night, BACA will do whatever it takes to help these children feel safe and protected.
I may have gotten a motorcycle ride across the bridge that day (SO MUCH FUN! Check out the video I posed to the Lauren’s Kids Facebook page!), but it didn’t make a dent in the 20+ miles we walked. We had three survivors who joined us for the entirety of the Walk in the spirit of surviving and thriving – way to go, you three! Thank you for spending Valentine’s Day on the Walk in My Shoes!
Yesterday was another long walk day…25 miles through Fort Walton Beach! We had men and women from the local military base join us to walk (and run – those guys are seriously in shape!), and ended up at the Bridgeway Center’s Rape Crisis Center. It was such a long, cold, overcast day, but the strength and enthusiasm of the walkers and the Center warmed my heart. Thank you, thank you for walking to help spread our message and expand our movement.
Today is a rest day, and I couldn’t be more content with being inside, warm and dry hanging out with Walk dog, Lily. I can’t believe we’re officially less than one week away from the Rally in Tally, when friends, family, legislators and survivors will join me to walk the final mile of Walk in My Shoes 2012 to the steps of the Historic Capitol. If you’re in Tallahassee, I hope you’ll join me for the 1,500th mile – we’ll begin walking from the Governor’s Square Mall at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22!
Lots of love,
Lauren
PS – Right now, my heart, thoughts and prayers are with warrior, survivor and beloved friend, Angele. I’d like to ask anyone who is reading this blog to please keep Angele in your prayers as well.
