[pct-l] Garey Meabon

[Eric.Jensen@METROKC.GOV (Jensen, Eric)]

If you read the PCT journals as I do, sometimes you get interested in =
the
folks who spend the time and effort to put together their reflections =
on the
trail.  When I enjoy a particular journal I like to send a quick note =
to the
hiker letting them know that.  One such person was Garey Meabon.  =
Although
fighting terminal cancer, Garey embarked on the PCT last summer with =
two
younger companions.  After reading his journal (via www.pcta.org) about =
the
200 miles he covered on the trail I sent my regards to Garey and =
inquired
into his plans to resume the hike northward this summer.  Sadly, I =
learned
from his wife Zo=EB that Garey had passed away last November.  Her =
message was
heartfelt and reflected Garey's passion for the trail as well as the =
PCTA.
It touched me so much I thought I would share it with you (with her
permission):

************************************************************************=
****
*******************
Hi Eric,=20

I'm Garey's wife, Zo=EB. I'm so happy you read Garey's journal and =
wrote to=20
him.=20

Sadly, he passed away November 13, 2000.=20

I can't tell you how much this hike meant to Garey. For the last year =
he was

alive he planned, studied, lived and dreamed this hike. I truly believe =
it=20
kept him alive longer than the doctors had diagnosed. He had every =
intention

of returning to the trail this year, but it was not to be.=20

My favorite part of his hike was the last three days he was out, near =
Sierra

City. He spent the time completely alone, with nature. He made tapes =
for me=20
every day and the feelings he expressed were awesome. After coming =
home, his

health failing rapidly, he never stopped mentioning the freedom he felt =
on=20
the trail.=20

People asked if I was upset with Garey for going on the hike and =
leaving me=20
home knowing he didn't have much time left. The doctors had given Garey =
one=20
year to live when he first found out he had cancer. I wanted him to sit =
in a

chair and not move so he would be here forever. After the first year =
and so=20
many adjustments, I would go to work and return home at night with him=20
waiting for me to return. He had mentioned the hike before he was ill =
and=20
how someday he would like to do something like that when he retired. I =
told=20
him it would be wonderful if he could get out there and accomplish =
that.=20

After hearing that, he started looking up everything he could find on =
the=20
computer about the PCTA. It became a driving force in his life. He was =
so=20
alive and excited, there was no stopping him. He had every intention of =

completing the trail as he spent thousands of dollars and many hours =
buying=20
and packing his equipment for the entire journey. I still have his =
resupply=20
boxes, unopened, that I was to mail him along the way. It's too painful =

right now to go through them so I have just put them aside for now.=20

Garey was a wonderful man. He couldn't do anything about his cancer, so =
he=20
used it to help others. We went to a support group for other cancer =
patients

and they couldn't wait to see him every week to hear and be a part of =
his=20
journey. It let them know that they too could live a dream and not give =
up=20
just because of this dreadful disease.=20

I could go on and on about this Man I love so much, but will end now.=20

Thank you so much for writing. It makes me love him even more to know =
he is=20
still touching people even though not here.=20

Do something you have always wanted to do but have been putting it off. =

Enjoy life and all it has to offer.=20

Sincerely,=20
Zo=EB=20
GrandpaZoe@aol.com
************************************************************************=
****
*************

Eric Jensen
"OneMan"=20
echristopherjensen@yahoo.com


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