Miles With Meaning (The Friday Ficks S5 E9)

This is Larry.

Our friend. My friend.

His birthday was this week - February 26th. He would have been 57. But a few weeks ago, he set sail on his final journey.

For years, Larry fought a debilitating disease. It took so much from him - his strength, his independence - but never his spirit. Through it all, we spent time together. Talking. Watching TV. Listening to Larry’s precisely curated “20 Gifts Playlist.” Sitting in his backyard. Going to appointments. Sharing silence when words weren’t needed.

I already miss Larry and our time together.

To honor him, I rode 26 miles on February 26th. The road was rough - potholes, ice, snow. The ride wasn’t fast, but that didn’t matter.

Because I wasn’t alone.

And that’s the lesson.

There’s an old African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Larry couldn’t ride those miles. But I could. So I did. And I carried him with me, his playlist looping in my head. A gift.

We all carry someone. A loved one. A friend. Someone we’ve lost. Someone who’s still here but struggling.

So, move for them.

Swim 10 laps to honor a friend’s 10 years of sobriety. Walk five miles to celebrate your daughter’s five years as a survivor. Run three miles for a relative who’s three years smoke-free.

Or simply step outside, take a deep breath, and move. Because you can.

Whatever the reason, whatever the distance - make it meaningful.

We are not here forever. But while we are, let’s move with purpose. Let’s carry each other forward.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl