Today is the eleventh anniversary of my beloved sister's passing. Cheryl died from breast cancer at the tender age of forty-four in 1998. I vowed to keep her memory alive and 11 years later, I am doing just that. I came to terms with Cheryl's death years ago. But my love for my sister will never cease. It is through Cheryl's death that I have found a brand new passion in my own life.... distance hiking. And the lessons that I have learned while wandering on foot throughout the United States have been profound, humbling, spiritual, and just plain fun. Even at 52, I am still learning. I thank God everyday (and Dr. Muccio) for two healthy legs because I just love to walk in the vast, beautiful, and serene wilderness. I once considered myself a city girl, but I am not any longer. Or maybe I never really was. My focus is simple...my love for my family, God, and charity. My passion is pure as I yearn to begin my next distance hike, just 8 weeks from now on the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail. It is through my sister's death, that my own life's path took an extraordinary, unknown and seemingly crazy-at-times direction.

"I'm Walking for Walden" as she sits by Your side. Her memories live on still as my footpath of pride."