The heat and humidity of New York City, where this journey began on September 1st, now feels like a distant memory. A welcome chill has settled over the North Carolina countryside, invigorating each step of my Walk Across America. The change in weather is a beautiful thing, but it’s the approaching Thanksgiving that truly fills me with anticipation.
Walking along Drewry-Virginia Line Road, I stumbled upon a piece of history: Buchanan’s Store. Open since 1878, its weathered facade whispered stories of generations past. I imagined Confederate veterans, farmers, and now, a weary walker, all crossing its threshold. Thanksgiving decorations adorned the storefront, a vibrant welcome against the autumn landscape.
The kindness of the people inside was a balm to my soul. Resting on the front steps with a cool drink, a wave of gratitude washed over me. This year, that gratitude is particularly profound, rooted in a dream finally taking shape back home in Chicago.
There, after years of tireless effort, the community center is rising from the ground. To witness the tractors digging, the beams being set, the cement poured – it was a miracle unfolding before my eyes. Tears came easily, witnessing construction dedicated to positive change in a neighborhood that desperately needed it.
My thanks extend to the donors and supporters who never lost faith, and to the dedicated workers battling the elements to bring this vision to life. But my gratitude doesn’t stop there. It encompasses every American I’ve met along this path.
From bustling city streets to quiet country roads, from front porches to church steps, you have sustained me. Honey buns, sandwiches, home-cooked meals, and generous donations – these weren’t just gifts of sustenance, but acts of profound kindness. You’ve fed my body, sheltered my spirit, and lifted me when I faltered.
Because of your generosity, a brighter future is being built for our children. This nation, though imperfect and often complicated, allows us to shape our own destinies. It’s a gift to live in a country that believes things don’t have to stay the way they are, a country that empowers change.
I am thankful for the sacred ground I’ve traversed – churches, historical sites, forgotten slave trails, and hallowed battlefields. Each mile has echoed a single, powerful truth: we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and it is our duty to build upon their legacy.
Thanksgiving is a particularly poignant time for families grieving empty chairs. I’ve held too many funerals for young lives cut short by violence. I pray for those lost souls, and give thanks for the precious moments they shared with us, for the lessons they taught us about cherishing life.
Above all, I offer my deepest gratitude to God, who has guided my steps from the very beginning. He has been a constant presence in nearly every conversation, a silent witness to every challenge and triumph. He has seen every detail of this journey.
If He can guide a flawed man like me this far, He can guide any of us home. The journey continues, the promise endures, and the hope remains strong. My thanks, from the bottom of my heart, goes to each and every one of you.
