"The only people we have to get even with
are those who have helped us."
I'll be honest. I am terrible at showing appreciation. I am the world's worst person at sending thank you notes, and I often forget to show the proper amount of gratitude people deserve. I get so excited about the act of kindness that I'm too busy saying words like "Shiny!" or "Yay! Pink!" that I forget to say the words "Thank You."
While I've been working at Beachy Beach Real Estate for Karen Smith, someone who is simultaneously the most generous and the most grateful person I have ever met, I have changed my attitude of giving, receiving, and reciprocating. Her life motto is "The only people we have to get even with are those who have helped us."
It occurred to me recently that just because I may have missed the "proper etiquette" deadline for sending a thank you card, doesn't mean I should never send it. While I do agree it's better to show appreciation immediately, I think the "better late than never" rule applies as well.
There are friends that have showed me love, kindness, and support over the years that I will never be able to repay. Among these friends are a few brothers (now alumni) of Alpha Tau Omega at Troy University. They are friends that always go above and beyond, and they make up some of my happiest college memories. They were always there even if that meant a midnight Red Bull run or a midnight movie premier.
In 2010, when two of my ATO friends, Austin Bivins and Kyle Crabtree first started talking about walking from Troy, Alabama to Panama City Beach, only one word came to mind: "Crazy!". The word that now comes to mind is "Respect". Other than small donations, I have never gotten involved with Walk Hard as much as I've wanted. This year, I wanted to start trying to "get even" with my ATO friends that have done so much for me.
Walk Hard is a six-day hike from Troy, Alabama to Panama City Beach raising support for The Wounded Warrior Project. Standing in Pier Park as the Walk Hard team finished the 125 mile journey was nothing short of incredible. It makes me wish I would've been there in previous years to support my friends and makes me regret letting my fear of PCB spring break traffic and craziness get the best of me. In my attempt to "get even," I had the joy of welcoming my friends' littles, grandlittles, and great-grandlittles to the beautiful place I now call my home and share a little Beachy Beach love!
Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst was there to welcome the team at Pier Park declaring March 12, 2014 "Walk Hard Day." Another special guest who was at both the send-off and the finish line was Billy Williams, a Desert Storm veteran. While the final amount raised for 2014 has not been announced yet, the brothers of ATO presented The Wounded Warrior Project with a check for $16,200.
When asked why they are walking, these were a few of the answers:
"I am walking for the sake of others. I am blessed to have legs that allow me to walk, so why not use them to raise awareness for those who are not able? We often take the small things for granted, and I believe Walk Hard is the perfect opportunity for me to realize how fortunate I am. I am fortunate to be an American, to have been raised by such a loving family, and ultimately that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for me to be able to spend eternity in heaven with Him when I am so undeserving. For I am blessed, so I want to be a blessing to others! That is why I Walk Hard!" - Jake Thibodeaux
"Many of the older brothers encouraged me to become apart of something bigger than myself. I believe that by participating in WalkHard, I will have the opportunity to do that very thing. I am so excited that I have the opportunity to support the Wounded Warrior Project through walking. This is an organization that really hits home to me, having had a brother serve in the military and by having being raised in a military-based city. I know that this will definitely be a spring break that I never forget!" - Dash Merritt
So what do a bunch of guys want to do after walking 125 miles want to do? Go to the beach and spend the remainder of spring break resting, recovering, and rejoicing! Congrats to the Walk Hard Team and the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega! And to all my ATO Alumni friends, Thank You!
You can still donate to The Wounded Warrior Project by going to www.walkhard.org
