Dear America, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Merry what you believe. This is a letter to let everyone know that we are well and happy. My brother David will graduate from the University of Virgina Law School this spring. My brother Blake is working in Florida and enjoying the great weather. Mom is all healed from her throw this summer. I love school and look forward to Boardjammers this winter. I have taken skiing lessons from the second grade and this year my mom is letting me take snowboard lessons. Chip is gaining weight and doing well. Mom drives out to check on and feed Chip and Montana every morning and night. I go out when I can. Chip has a good winter coat built up. Everyone says he looks good.
I would like to tell you why I am grateful for this past year. I learned some very important lessons.
1. When something bad happens, ask what wonderful thing is going to happen to you.
We ran out of hay for Chip. All mom could talk about was finding hay. We stopped for lunch and fed Chip some feed and let him graze a little. We started up again and a few minutes later a truck pulled up on the other side of the road stopped. A man got out of the truck and pulled a bail of hay from the back, ran across the road and thew it in the back of our truck. He gave us two bails of hay. He jumped in his truck and drove off. My mom yelled thank you but she doesn’t think he heard her. We got what we needed.
2. Give of yourself . You get so much back.
When you do something for others you get to feel good about yourself. I didn’t do my ride to make me feel good, I just got to feel good.
3. Keep going, don’t quit it matters to someone.
There were times this summer that my back hurt, the flies were bad, or I was just hot and tired. Sometimes I thought I might quit. And then, I would meet someone who I made a difference to. A soldier who would come up and shake my hand and thank me for riding. Who would tell me that it made them feel good to know that I was doing this for them.
4. When someone is mean or hateful toward you, remember your heart is in the right place.
A few people have sent e-mails filled with hate toward us and what we were doing. I am doing what I believe is the right thing to do. I will continue to do it. Never let anyone lead your life for you.
5. Believe.
Believe that people are good and will do the right thing. Believe in yourself. Believe in our country. Believe the words that make up the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution they are strong.
My mom and I got to see the best in America this summer. Good people who do good things. Thank you.
My mom and I were going through the journal we kept this summer and we wanted to thank a few people. I don’t want to hurt any feelings if your name is not here. Everyone was special to us. We love all of you for the kindness you gave us. But there are just a few people who I know that all of you will agree made a big difference to our ride.
Lieutenant Robert Harri, Buffalo Police Department. Lt. Harri started us on our way and supported us from the start.
Jim and Joyce Johnson. Jim and Joyce where the first family to take complete strangers off the road and welcomed us into their home. We knew we would make it because of them.
Wyatt Hicks. Wyatt was my first friend on the road, first to ride with me, and still my friend.
Tia, Denise, and Angie. The first women who rode with me.
Sheriff Kelly Lake. Sheriff Lake was the first to call out her posse to ride with me and because we rode with the Carlton County Posse, we met Fran Kueker.
Carlton County the first posse to ride with me. Lori Olean, Dr. Kydee Sheetz, Cpt. Dan Fogarty, Julie Forarty, Barbe Zimny, and Megan Olean.
Wadena Posse member, Fran Kueker. Everyone should know a Fran. Fran spent hours on the phone, calling posse members, mounted patrol, sheriff’s, and sheriff’s departments. Fran rode with me and was the person my mom and I knew was keeping us safe along the way. Fran let me ride her horse Walkman and introduced me to my friend Beth. I can honestly say that with out Fran my ride would not have gone as safe and well. I am honored to know Fran and call her my friend. Thank you Fran. I love you.
My first stay at Camp Ripley. Lt. Toole you made it so much fun for me. Thank everyone at Camp Ripley for the gift of my FREEDOM.
My first time entering a fair, Piligar, Minnesota. I met the nicest group of people there. I was nervous entering my first event. I made friends. Everyone cheered me on and made me feel great. If you want to go to a fun small town fair go to Piligar.
Dakota County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol got us going with the first t-shirt sales. Now we have shirts to sell.
I will write more tonight
