After a good meal at a smoke house resturant, converted from an old hardware store in Abingdon VA, a good night sleep at America’s Value Inn, and a waffle breakfast, it was time for a tearful departure. George an older trail volunteer picked me up to take me back up the mountain by way of a God forsaken road that once managed a narrow gauge railway. This tough old volunteer unphased by the huge rocks and washed out craters. Along the way without knowing my story he told me about losing his 24 year old son 30 years ago. I gave a brief account of my sorrow and with few words we bonded on that rock infested access road. We swapped contacts, I said goodbye with a new found respect and a burning to be made into a real man. That was my prayer for the next several hours .
The trail flattened out, gone were the rocks, rain, and ascents that plagued my walk with Lori. I wanted it to be rough , I wanted to feel the burn, I wanted to suffer. But instead of stress, I felt like I was being killed with kindness from a gentle trail and two trail magic stops. I rejoined Young Blood who saw my sadness when he asked about my wife. He made the point to bypass the shelter to camp with me above a river. We both got to share about our lives, loves and losses. As we talked from our tents I slowly fell asleep realizing I’m not all by myself .
Andy M Davidson 
God works in mysterious ways. We miss you!
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Andy, They say that “The lord works in mysterious ways…” But, I have come to believe with all my heart that “There is NO MYSTERY as to how God works in your life… If you are PAYING ATTENTION…!” There are no consequences, trust me on this… And, I believe that one day when you meet Jesus, you will. find out the truth and in your surprised state, you will look at your Lord and Savior and say, “Wait a minute… On the AT, that was you… Get outta here!” LOL What a day that will be….
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Grest conversation that night bro.. I hope my life of pain and sorrows helped u see weall hurt. Alongside that great river bonds are made….. YoungBlood
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Miss you on the trail Young Blood
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Wish you were on the trail. Get back soon
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A friend of mine taped a presentation I did back in the Fall and recently edited it so I could post it on Youtube.com. After going to the website, just search for Andy Davidson thru hiking thru life and you should get the 3 parts. The total presentation lasts about an hour. Hopefully it will make you laugh and think. Since I last wrote, I have to say I really miss the trail and miss conversing with y’all even more. I’ve been working on another project which I hope to announce in the near future. Until then I have dreams of jumping in the truck with Lor and Belle (our Springer Spaniel) and back packing out West this summer. (Just don’t tell my employer).
Take care, “Phantom”
I can’t thank you enough for all the support. Feel free to spread the workd and I apologize to some of you who may be getting this notice as a repeat.
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Doing this right away… My best BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!!!!
LTC(R) TONY R. FRANKLIN, Ph.D. Private Practitioner and DOD Psychological Consultant (Special Psychological Applications & Leading Edge Consultants) AL/TN Licensed Psychologist (HSP) & Prior U.S. Army Military, Aeromedical, SOF and JOINT SERE Psychologist 1247 Rucker Blvd., Suite B Enterprise, AL 36330 (931) 624-0269 franklintr@aol.com
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33
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