Day 3 Has just begun 49.5 hours at it and the cold is becoming unbearable. I never thought that low 40's would feel so cold.
My back is bad but not enough to make me stop. 48 hours no sleep, an experiment in itself. Lack of sleep and hydromorphone cause mild but obvious hallucinations. I have walk around 180 laps or 37 hours. I am no walking a set distance but I need to know how far I have traveled. About 5:15am Sunday I slammed into "the wall" I wanted to pack it up and go home. the pain was up, I was walking and falling asleep but I stayed. Now I feel a little better sometimes I feel like I did in Beirut scared, alone and tired. But then I dig deeper to continue and now I must again. I am passed the first barrier and moving toward the second of many. my mind is sluggish, and this is when we all must reach inside and find our reserves. Well we have received $67.00 Local, $202.00 online. Still a very long way to go. Yesterday a woman and 2 young girls walked to our table. The girls dressed in beautiful gowns and gloves. I think they must have been anywhere between 4-5 but not sure. They both placed donations in our drum. This alone moved me but what they said left a mark on me. "thank you" they said in unison, "our daddy is a solider and he is leaving. The mother explained he was deploying to Iraq. I looked into the girls eyes, no tears only pride. I did cry quietly. All night I have prayed for their daddy and everyone else deployed. I thanked them and asked them to thank their daddy and give him a hug from all of us. Their mother too the time out on a day that meant to send off troops to teach these kids something, how to give she handed them both money and instructed them on each step including saying thanks for serving. My parents did this with me, each time a collection plate, salvation army bucket or Remembrance poppy I was near I did the donating. I know most of you where like me too. but we need to make sure we are raising a self sacrificing generation. Now some valuable information on demographics.
Biggest donations - 18-29 year olds
Best Listeners - 18-29 year olds
Most Appreciative to Vets - 18-29 year olds
The last place in all was the 40-49 year olds.
This took me by surprise.
Well I am having a tough time jotting these notes down so I will close with a thought.
"Do no harm"
Peace
Steve

_____________________________________________________

Monday, 11th June

Hey John, this is Becky. Steve only came home for a few hours to sleep after being awake since the day the walk started. He has already gone back up to start walking again. We were hoping for someone in town to give him a tent or something to sleep in so he wouldn't have to sleep at the table we have set up or have to come home, but that never happened.
Anyway, his spirits are still good, he's bound and determined to hit his goal of $24,100.00 no matter how long it takes. At the rate that the donations are coming in here, that could keep him walking for months.
His health is still okay, back and leg pain is to be expected with the problems he has. A few blisters on his feet, but all in all, he's still doing well.
I'll keep you updated as much as possible. Thank you John for supporting our efforts and for all the help. It is much appreciated.

Becky