Mile 730. Parenting.

My parents always have celebrated my big adventures.   

When I was in high school, they encouraged me to drive across multiple states to attend the Key Club National Conference in New Orleans.   Alone.

When I graduated from college, they helped me to pack up the station wagon to drive 3000 miles to work for the summer season in Yellowstone National Park.   Alone.

Before graduate school, they helped me to map out the ultimate cross-country road trip en route to working for a second summer season in the Grand Canyon National Park.   Again, alone.

And early in my career, they were spell-bound by my many stories of globetrotting across the furthermost corners of the world.    Once again, alone.

In that pre-2000s world with communication limited to the occasional 10-cents-a-call pay phone, my parents adopted the no-news-is-good-news parenting style.   They trusted that I use my best judgment in life navigation.   At the same time, they always were available if I hit a snag and needed help.

Their trust laid the foundational confidence to continuously push my boundaries and explore the world of possibilities.   

That’s gold.

It’s no surprise to me, then, that my parents  unequivocally supported my plans to take a career sabbatical to hike all 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail.    

When I first shared my plans, their initial response was, “Wow, that’s big news.”   They then followed, “I don’t dislike it.”   And fifteen seconds later, they said, “So, how can we come see you on the Trail?”

My parents have been actively engaged, following my progress along the way.   And last weekend they treated me to the penultimate zero day in Roanoke, Virginia - including quality time with my eldest brother and nephews; gifting me a new 40L backpack; and feeding me a LOT of food!

How lucky am I?