With the budding and greening landscape, Judy and I are strongly reminded of Nathaniel and his mid-April passing. It’s been nine years, yet it feels more recently than that. I got a strong urge to do a mini-pilgrimage, respecting all confinement advice, more or less. So, I walked from home to the Westtown School Campus, ignored the “Campus Closed” sign, walked mindfully the Labyrinth in the Pinetum, and then sat quietly on the bench under Nathaniel’s tree. It panoramically overlooks the Westtown Meeting House and Middle School. Too early for his tree buds to be open, but how majestic the tree has become. Its trunk reflects the strength, resilience, and unhindered height of our son. The campus was so peaceful and calm, and so was I. My mantra all day was to enumerate all the gifts that Nathaniel’s life has bestowed on us— “To be respectful, playful, courageous, and kind.” We ended the day with the traditional bonfire. His Light burn brightly in our lives.
Annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Awareness Walk
The 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Awareness Walk was created in 2013, the year after my pilgrimage from Cheyney, PA to Boston, MA in memory of Nathaniel, a 525-mile journey by foot. Like the original, this annual walk event builds community and raises awareness, funds, and hope. This year, we want to see how many million steps we can walk for OCD awareness together.