Our Personal Thank-you's:
Adam Grapa
Tami (Lepke) Williams
Mom and Dad
Phillips, Wisconsin
Kenny Laatsch (my uncle)
My family
My friends
Adam Grapa
Thank you to my husband, Adam Grapa, who has been there for me and supported me through everything. Especially when I come up with crazy ideas like hiking across the country – thank you for never doubting me. I love you so much.
Tami (Lepke) Williams
I can’t send enough thanks to you, Tami, for practically living with me the summer I was treated. I would’ve never made it without you. That summer would’ve been the most miserable in my whole life if you hadn’t been by my side every second possible. Thank you so much for riding along to Marshfield for the transfusions, sitting in our house watching TV Land while I slept all day, keeping me company, and keeping me laughing. I love you so much, and I will never forget how you were there for me the entire time. Words will never express how much it meant to me to know that someone cared so much that they would stick next to me through all of that.
Mom and Dad
Where do I start? The love of parents is something that can’t be written down. It can only be experienced. I was fortunate that God let me actually see the concern in my dad’s eyes and the fear in my mom’s voice when I was ill. Thank you mom and dad for loving me. Thank you for making my experience of being sick one that I don’t want to forget. I don’t look back on this as a negative experience. Instead, because of all the support, love, laughs, prayers, and every drop of energy you had that you gave me when I needed it, I remember it as a positive experience. Thank you for saving my life and I can only hope someday that I can love my children even half as much as you love me.
Thank you for all your help every step of the way in making this dream a dream come true. I wouldn’t be this far without your support.
Phillips, Wisconsin
And the surrounding area – thank you for your support and prayers while I was sick. I appreciate everyone’s efforts to help me and my family through a really hard time. I can’t imagine a community being more supportive. I never really officially thanked everybody for their help. As much as I’d like to individually go around and hug and personally thank every one of you, please know that you are in my and my family’s hearts, and we are truly thankful.
Also, thank you so much for your support and never doubting our plans to hike across the country. A lot of people I’ve talked to kind of brush the idea of our hike off like it’s something they have to see to believe, but I can’t think of one person from the community that did that. Everyone was 100% behind us from the very beginning. Thank you so much for your support!
Kenny Laatsch (my uncle)
Uncle Kenny, you may not realize it, but one of the conversations we had around a fire is one of the things that pushed me forward into this adventure. You were totally behind me, and the first to say you’d be there with me every step of the way. I appreciate your support, and I look forward to having you with us on the trip. It’s going to be a great experience, and it will be great to have your strength with us along the way.
My family
I wish I could go through and mention everyone separately, but throughout this experience, I’m sure I will. To everyone that has been supportive and positive, thank you.
Thank you to all my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (and I know you’re looking down upon us, too, Grandpa Laatsch – we’ll be looking for your pennies from heaven on our journey).
Thank you Scott, Erica and Gracie (my brother, his wife, and my niece) for being supportive and so accepting of me and Adam in all of our life changing plans. Some day we will be living near you!! J
Thank you to Adam’s family, too. You have all been very supportive and I really appreciate your positive attitudes.
My friends
Thank you Pam, Jamie, and Lisa for listening to my non-stop rambling about this trip. And thank you for all your advice, suggestions, and support. Keep it coming!! J Thank you to everyone else that has expressed interest and input on this project. I appreciate any feedback you are willing to give!
