Share the Road

On my way to a Historic Commission meeting last night, I crossed paths with this guy! He walked down Ocean Road like he owned it til he finally crossed over into the tall grass and headed toward the beach. He had a fresh kill in his mouth and was probably looking for a quiet place to enjoy it. In a few short weeks, I'll be walking, with a couple thousand other people, down the streets of Boston like we own them. But we won't have to scavenge for food; we'll be enjoying what's called the 3-Day Buffet! In addition to the more than adequate camp meals, the pit stops are well-stocked with every snack you could want. And as I recall, the Boston spectators, cheering section, walker stalkers, whatever you want to call them, are VERY generous with the treats. Popsicles, hard candies, Tootsie Rolls, lemonade. Its a lasting impression I'll have for years to come. The support you get from your fellow walkers is one thing - but these perfect strangers that may or may not have anything to do with the cause or the walk. . . . well, its very touching. Some of them just happen to live on the route and they cheer for you as you walk past like they're at a Red Sox game. And instead of being grumpy about the inconvenience of having their road closed for a little while, they stand in their yard on a hot day and clap as you go by and give generously anything that they think will help you. Some of them will spray you down with their garden hose if you look too hot and some will even let you use their bathroom - a REAL bathroom! That kind of random selflessness doesn't go unnoticed - but its very difficult to repay. I think the best we can do to acknowledge and honor it is to live that spirit every day; give generously; applaud people in their efforts; share your Tootsie Rolls; and pat people on the back (or better yet, give them a hug) when you see them working so hard to achieve what they believe.