Speaking in Evansville and Mount Vernon

So, blogging has been a bit hard.  First for the obvious: Im exhausted at the end of the day! 

Second: the moments I could be blogging, I've had the opportunity to connect with some amazing people.

Why blog when you can live?

(My cousin came to spend time with me on the river!!)

Well... There's a time and place for both *wink*

So, if you are in the Evansville area on Sunday there will be 3 times we can say hello offline:

9:00 am, we will be at St. Lucas United Church of Christ at 33 W. Virginia Street in Evansville and will say a few words during worship services.

2:30 pm, we will be at the Evansville Central Library in the Browning Room A where I will give my full presentation.

7:00 pm, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Also where I will give my full presentation.

Ok.

Back to the subject of writing/blogging (and ps- I'm writing this on my phone so I'm sorry if the format is off!)....

I plan to hit the road and re-trace my trip right after I finish on the water. Allowing me to write about the physical trip itself, but also the folks who have become part of my journey too. The veterans, families, civilians, contractors, communities that have shared their stories of how mental health, suicide, war and life has molded who they are.

I find I meet someone who changed/inspired/drove me forward, and then the schedule takes over.  I want to know what happens after the moment passes.  I want to keep the discussion going and follow up with the sorrow, triumph, longing, passion and beauty I've seen and heard these past 2 months.

In truth, I'm still waiting for my benefits. In fact, the plan is to start the trip in DC to see my lawyer and get my 'fight' fueled up. I'm tired. I want to sit still and focus on getting well. But not while the stories of others who are fighting for help are also swirling in my head, and not if it means going home and waiting for help again.

I won't go back to that helplessness again.

Just about 7 days left on the river, but I truly feel its just the beginning of this journey... 

(Henry watching a cat from the tent in Rockport)

(Taken by Tre Turchie Barron at Newburgh Lock)

(Chris and Sam of the Ingram Barge, James Paul Ayers)

(A welcoming committee of Hoosier Hospitality out of Tell City)

 

(Karen Gayer, Cody Baker's mother... Celebrating Cody and his twin sister's birthday... 3 weeks after Cody took his life... Still humbles me)

(I want to know the story behind this boat... Seriously... Is that a pop-up trailer on the roof?!)

(Mayor John Tucker of Mt. Vernon, Indiana who shared his friend's story after he came home from Vietnam)

 

(My cousin Anne joining me for 4 days!)

(Colin wading out to film for a documentary about contractors and the challenges they face coming home... He and Uri flew in from Israel the night before) 

As always, please go to the Purple Star link and sign the petition!!