In the quiet hours of dawn, sitting in Josie’s cockpit, listening to the harmonies being played out between engine and wheels, I've had time to reflect on this journey. It's been a road paved with the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It's been a deep dive into the American heartland. But now, as autumn crouches on my shoulders, I'm at a crossroads.
I set out on a mission. Shine a light on unsung heroes in our small towns. Share their stories and acts of generosity and kindness, and hope it would ignite similar acts elsewhere. So far, the road has been both companion and teacher. Each stop, each story, has only reenforced the belief in the inherent goodness that binds us.
Yet, despite frugal living—meals of grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, and the lowly Ramen noodle—the reality is that the fuel gauge is dipping toward empty and the money is drying up like a creek in a long drought.
pride, perhaps, or the stubborn notion that I should walk this path unaided.
I never imagined myself as someone to ask for help. But that's just stupid pride taking the wheel and doing all the driving. Life has a way of humbling you. As is has now. I find myself coming to you, hat in hand, asking that you dig a little deeper and throw some more coin into the pot. It's as simple as that. If you've enjoyed this trip, shared the stories and looked forward the to next town encountered, I'd appreciate the support.
The truth is short and sharp: without more money, I may have to cut the tour short. The original funds, already less than hoped for, have dwindled. There are hundreds of miles left to cover and so many unknown stories to tell.
If anything here has resonated with you. If you've found a flicker or hope or a spark of generosity in these stories, please consider helping to keep this journey on the road. Any amount helps. Seriously, drop a couple of dollars in the pot; if enough do the same, we're golden.
And while I have the boots on the ground, I couldn't do any of this without you, without your support. So while Josie and I are out here bumping into hope and generosity in the most unexpected places, you're right here with us, making this all possible.