April 30, 2012 DAY 7 — Germantown to Fort Washington, PA (11.25 miles)

Into the Desert of Solitude

Walking with friends is a wonderful addiction. As part of today’s withdrawal plan, I lose Uncle Chris, Aunt Helen, and cousin Chris at the corner of Coulter Street and Germantown Avenue. Cousin Kathy stays with me to the top of Mt. Airy, and then begins my desert of solitude. I knew this would come eventually. Heavily organic Chestnut Hill (even though I’ve never tasted organic dry cleaning) distracts me from my acute withdrawal symptoms. With a delicious “con leche” and “croissant au chocolat” from the Baker Street Bread Café, I accept my new walking status which is here to stay for awhile. When I reach my next stop, low blood sugar clouds my thinking and perspective, and it is definitely time for me to eat. A tasty picnic lunch and good conversation with Dr. T. C., Nathaniel’s therapist in Chestnut Hill help me to see life anew. Now for part 2: the haul to Fort Washington. Suddenly, all sidewalks end. OK, I can still do this: think Cheyney and its environs. Then the where-can-I-pee question pops up. Definitely not at a bank, because apparently that’s a security risk. Did you know that? (Officer: “Is that a loaded gun in your pocket or just a full bladder?”) But Planet Fitness in Flowertown offers me relief without my having to sign up for membership and a training plan. As I approach Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital, I stupidly prejudge my welcome. When will I ever learn? How graciously the CEO and staff welcome me in, although Nathaniel’s in-the-middle-of-the-night passage there was so brief that November 2009 night. Around a huge conference table with ten people listening to Nathaniel’s story with open ears and hearts, I could feels his forgiveness soaring through me, and mine too. Nathaniel left by the back door that night, but today I exit by the front filled with the love and blessings of the group (as well as with a huge check for IOCDF).