A Time of Change

I hope everyone is well. It's been a while since we last talked, and much has changed in my life since completing the walk in January, 2011. By far the  the most important was the death of my wife and best friend, Rita. In June, 2011, Rita was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was never a smoker, but had Hodgkin's disease in her early 30's, and the doctors suspect the radiation treatments from that possibly caused the lung cancer. Chemo treatments seemed to be having a positive effect on reducing the cancer, but she contacted pneumonia in January, 2012. After 14 days in the hospital she was able to come home, but never able to gain the strength to fight the cancer. She died on February 13.

Rita and I first met in high school. We married at age 20, and 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild later, were looking forward to many more years together. One trip we had planned was to drive out west and retrace the route I walked across country. She just couldn't understand the bigness and emptiness of the western states. I also wanted her to meet many of the people who were so kind to me along the walk. But sometimes life doesn't work out the way we plan, and we never were able to take that trip.

Rita was a great wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed living a simple life, and was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was quiet and unassuming, preferring to let her actions speak for her. She was always supportive and tolerant of my adventures, although most times preferred to participate from the comforts of her sofa. She loved to read, and Christmas was her favorite time of the year.

Rarely a day goes by that I don't find something new that I miss about Rita, or depended on her for, or want to tell her. She was the one person on Earth I completely trusted, and the person with whom I could share the joys and hardships of life. She made everything I did worthwhile. I can't remember life without her, and certainly my life is changed forever.

Also in 2012, a good friend of mine, Ed Bixler, died from injuries received when a car struck the motorcycle he was riding. Ed and I worked together many years, and both of us enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and "safe" adventures. Our latest was a boat camping trip on the Intercoastal Waterway in SC. Ed was just a few months from retiring and looking forward to travels with his wife Connie.

Ed had ridden motorcycles most of his adult years, and was an extremely safe and cautious rider. He and another friend from work were on a trip to FL, and Ed was struck by an intoxicated driver. Ed was a good friend, co-worker, husband, and father. Another person who died too soon.