Celebration Time

By the time I got to the holding area, the party had begun. The cheering and dancing were in full swing. The receiving line was in good voice. It is an awesome way to end the journey. I think it was around 3:00 PM when I arrived.

Once again I met up with my friend Linda. I had sought her out each day and taken the time to chat for a bit. When I got to holding, she and I sat down just to talk and relax together. I kicked off my shoes to relax and she offered a foot massage. It was excellent!

After Linda returned to the receiving line, I sat for a bit longer, relaxing and texting with family and friends. Around 3:30, I put on my shoes, picked up my pack and joined the receiving line as well.

Last year when I saw all of these walkers standing there cheering and dancing and running around, I thought they were insane. Why in the world would you do that? After walking 60 miles in 3 days, you’d have to be insane to voluntarily stand on your feet or even worse, dance, right?

And yet there I was, right there with everyone else. I stood in the receiving line until the last walker came in. I danced. I sang. I cheered so loud and so much that I lost my voice. And then I cheered some more.

Yes, I was one of “them.”