Just One Email

My husband Damian and I were talking about Episode 2: Just One Swing, reflecting on all the people who’ve touched our lives. We carry so many fingerprints—traces of those who’ve helped shape us in small and significant ways

Damian said, “Yeah, like the woman who wrote the book I used for my bike trip.”

When he was 24, Damian rode his bike from Miami to Raleigh, inspired by a book called Bicycling the Atlantic Coast by Donna Ikenberry Aitkenhead. It had everything—turn-by-turn directions, campsites, side trips—all carefully mapped out along the coast. He followed it to a tee, riding through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. That trip changed his life. It gave him a sense of independence, adventure, and direction that helped shape his early adulthood.

“Look her up,” I said. “She literally changed your life. Don’t you think she’d love to know that?”

He hesitated—That was so long ago. I can’t even remember the title. Maybe she’s not even alive.
“Still,” I said, “if you could find her—and if she is—wouldn’t it be worth it?”

Sitting there on the patio, it took him 15 seconds to find the book on Amazon, and another 30 to find the author’s website. “Wow,” he said, “the site has her email.” I could see the tears in his eyes.
“You’re right. I’m going to write to her.”

Less than a day later, Donna Ikenberry wrote back. She’s in her 70s now, living in Colorado. She’s written 13 travel books, as well as published numerous articles and photographs. And she said, “Your note came at a perfect time.”

We all hope, in some way, that our presence matters. That we leave a mark. In this connected age, in just a few minutes you can tell someone the impact they’ve had on you. What a gift!

So do it.
Think of someone who helped make you who you are. Picture their face. Then take a few minutes to make their day. Send a card. Write an email. Make the call.

You’ll be glad you did.