After my dad passed away when I was 6 to cancer, my brother and I became inseparable. We faced a lot more death and sickness in our family but always had each other. In 2018, after he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, my whole life stopped for a second like I couldn’t catch my breath. My whole world shifted into making sure he beat this and that my niece would have the most normal life she possibly could have. In 2019 we got the news that he had beat his cancer and 2 weeks later I planned my elopement on the AT. My brother walked me down the “trail” and it was a moment I thought may never happen. I’m Thur Hiking the Appalachian trail to heal emotionally and spiritually. I hope to find peace and having my brother still with me here to cheer me on makes me feel so alive.