Patriotism grows step by step overseas
Column by Anthonette Klinkerman
The month of July inspires feelings of red-white-and-blue patriotism in Americans. But for one in the middle of a walk around the world, love for your home country grows by the page. Yes, page.
I am right in the middle of “3 MPH: The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around the World” by Polly Letofsky. Yes, it’s a true story. Though it has been a few years since the Colorado resident completed her walk, her book is now out, and as I read I can hear her every footstep through regions I can barely pronounce.
For the obvious questions: it took five years; Polly did it to raise awareness for breast cancer; she walked through 29 pairs of shoes; she was allowed to fly across the oceans; and no, she wouldn’t do it again.
I have had the incredible fortune of becoming friendly with Letofsky in a round about turn of events. Sitting in a Starbucks one day, I was stuck for a motivational quote, and asked aloud for one. A gentleman near me replied with, “If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, fertilize yours.” I laughed, and in the course of our ensuing conversation, Louis said, “You have to get to know my friend Polly.”
Now I’ve always believed you never know who you’re going to meet when out and about, but this sealed it for me.
Polly agreed to come and speak to my students at Eagle Academy last year. For an hour and forty-five minutes, she mesmerized the class. “The pictures she showed were straight out of National Geographic!” one of my boys exclaimed at the end of an awe-inspiring evening.
Letofsky was poked and prodded in India, every other form of wildlife in Australia had the potential to kill her, and throwing trash off the side of the road was perfectly acceptable in Malaysia. She was walking through the middle of a predominantly Muslim country when 9/11 happened, and the outpouring of love she received was the polar opposite of what one would have predicted. And the number of people she encountered that were directly affected by breast cancer was staggering.
Letofsky could scarcely contain herself once she returned to American shores. Simply reading her words is enough to convince me I live in the greatest country on planet Earth. America the beautiful. Fireworks will be a little brighter for me this year.
For more information, go to www.PollysGlobalWalk.com.
