Little m Long a

He doesn’t appear to be backing down.  He mentioned quite some time ago that he was going to do this.  Quite some time ago, it was safe to boast of this as quite some time should pass and our memories would fail us.  Yet he has reminded us of his claims, an ever present gnat buzzing always just beyond the swatter.  At times, his voice has been soft, like a whisper.  Other times, loud and booming.  He just couldn’t let it go.  And now, the time has come.  It is as they say time to put up or shut up.  I think a more commonly known allegorical reference may have something to do with moving one’s bowels or vacating the porcelain seat but since this is a family friendly place, I shan’t make such references.

Dan and his mates, ten of them I believe, maybe just seven.  Could be just Dan.  I’m not really sure who has committed but they all should be committed for even suggesting such lunacy. You see, Dan and his mates are about to embark on a journey,  seventy eight miles of walking in a mere six days.  (That’s an average of 13 miles a day!)  I’m not sure how many of you walk, or run or exercise at all for that matter, but the idea of walking 13 miles a day for six straight days has got to be daunting.  Hell, I get winded just walking upstairs when I’ve forgotten the telephone.  Half of the time I let a call just go to message because the effort to pry myself from my cozy couch is just to great.

Now, I’ve got to ask you?  Does this…..

appear to be a man that you would envision on a 78 mile hike?

Do any of these men?

Godspeed, gentlemen.  Godspeed.

In all seriousness, Dan is not just a loon on a mad mission to demoralize his mates.  He’s quite possibly one of the nicest blokes you’d ever want to meet and has a heart almost as big as his….self.  Dan and his friends will be walking the 78 miles of the Dales Way in Yorkshire, England to raise money for the Joseph Salmon Trust, a charity set up by Dan’s good friends Neil and Rachel in memory of their son, Joseph.  You can read all about The Dales Walk and the trust by visiting Dan’s site, All That Comes With It and also by visiting a site Dan established specifically to inform people of The Dales Walk.  More specifically, I ask that you contribute to this worthwhile endeavor.  Just click on the icons to the upper right of Dan’s homepage or on the homepage of The Dale’s Walk.  You’ll be glad you did and trust me, the warm feeling you’ll get inside (that would be knowing you’ve done the right thing)  will feel a whole lot better than the warm feeling in Dan’s shoes–that would be blisters.

I began my nursing career believing I had been fully prepared to handle anything that could be tossed in my direction.  Oh sure, there were departmental and hospital specific procedures and idiosyncrasies that are naturally a part of the learning curve.  But I had just graduated from one of the best nursing schools in the state and very highly ranked nationally.  I had been prepped, taught by the best.  I was ready.  Or so I thought.

You see, in nursing school they teach you how to treat injuries, how to heal wounds and infections, how to administer medicines and administer care that helps people get better.  What they didn’t tell me my was that sometimes, often times, the patients don’t get better, that despite my best efforts and most earnest attempts people sometimes die.  I wasn’t ready for this.  No one is ever ready for this.  They didn’t teach me about this.  Over time you develop ways and means to deal with the harsh realities but nothing ever seems sufficient.  A part of your very soul is left with every patient that leaves you.  It hurts.  The hurt lingers.  In some ways, it never leaves.  Countless nights I have come home from a difficult shift and hugged Zoë until she said quit.  Then I hugged her more.

I’m not sure if it is because I have been there, witness to the shock in a parent’s eyes when confronted with horrific news, or if because I am parent myself five times over, but I was moved recently by a post from Dan over at All That Comes With It.  You see, Dan has helped to organize a charity walk to take place this summer, 78 miles in six days.  It’s called the Dales Walk and will cover the length of the Dales Way in Yorkshire, England.  Proceeds from the walk are to benefit The Joseph Salmon Trust, a charity set up by Dan’s good friends Neil and Rachel in memory of their son, Joseph who was just three years old when he passed away suddenly and totally unexpectedly in his sleep due to complications from a streptococcal pneumonia. 

Through their experiences with such a devastating personal experience they have organized The Joseph Salmon Trust which aims to “support parents who have lost a child by providing financial assistance to those who need it most. This may be to help with funeral costs or to allow the self employed a break from work while they come to terms with their loss. Grieving families have enough to deal with without worries about where they will find the money to say goodbye to their child or pay the next electricity bill. Nothing we can do can make their situation better, but we can do something to stop it getting worse.”

Neil and Rachel have shown strength unimaginable after enduring what I can only imagine as being the worst experience that anyone would ever have to face.  They are extraordinary people, but I suppose I should expect nothing less from anyone whom Dan should call friend.  He’s a pretty good egg himself.  Although he could probably stand to lose a kilogram or two, but then again, who couldn’t.  The walking will surely help.  So what’s my point?  What can I do to help? you are most assuredly asking yourself by now. 

Easy. 

Give……..That’s it. 

Just Give.

Support Dan on his Dale’s Walk.  All sponsorship monies paid through him go directly to The Joseph Salmon Trust.  Expenses incurred during the six day trek are completely out of pocket for Dan.  I told you he was a good egg.  What’s in it for you?  I think Dan has some buttons and that warm feeling you get inside from knowing you did something good. 
 
           

Visit All That Comes With It and click on the button to the right to donate.  You can also follow the progress of the walk on a page Dan set up called oddly enough, The Dales Walk.