When All The Moms Come Together....

I think once you're a mom you ultimately become a mom to any child within your reach. Or is that just me? I don't think so. Let me explain.

It seems pretty obvious to me when I watch Jeff and Gavin's Youtube videos that Gavin is young. I don't know how strangers see him but surely, they can tell he's not a twenty something "man" out there hiking with Jeff. He relentlessly makes fun of Jeff for being old but believe me Jeff picks on him mercilessly as well. Where do you think Gavin learned it from? They are together ALL day EVERY day thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. 

We have a good number of subscribers on Youtube, followers on Tiktok, and email subscribers. I don't know the percentages, but I would bet it's pretty high in women. All the moms out there are watching their videos, and I just can tell and feel that they want to just scoop Gavin up and give him a hug (and maybe feed him too.) Not that Jeff doesn't get the love, but you know, it's different. 

I've received emails, Facebook messages and comments on videos from moms doing their thing - encouraging. They not only are cheering Jeff and Gavin on they are also supporting me. I think moms for the most part have this ability to put themselves in other people's shoes. They picture me sitting at home in the evenings - alone. They know and understand without me ever saying it that it's hard. 

One day a while back, I went to Target to get a container of Gavin's favorite trail mix and they were sold out. I mentioned that in an Instagram story. I could not believe the number of moms that reached out to me to help me get that trail mix for Gavin. Isn't that what we do? We know our kid loves something in particular and we shoot for the stars to get it for them. I had to start telling the moms that I had enough now. I felt the love and support for not just Gavin but for me too. They knew maybe even subconsciously how important something seemingly so minor would be for me to be able to get to Gavin when I saw him again. 

After that week of the trail mix, I knew that not only were Jeff and Gavin going to be ok, but I am too. 

We've had a lot of support from men too. I don't want to discount that, but this blog is about being a mom of a hiker so that's my perspective that I can write from. I've been very happy to see several men consistently send Jeff supporting messages and even Venmo him money for a hostel or pizza. 

I just wanted to send out a thank you to all the other moms in Gavin's life that he may not even realize are out there. I see you. I feel you. I appreciate you.