Steps of Remembrance: Trail Tribute to My Late Brother

GOAL: hike 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail

I recently lost someone incredibly dear to me, and it has profoundly changed my life. My older brother passed away at the young age of 27. He is my only sibling in this beautiful life, and there’s so much he never got the chance to experience.

We often get caught up in the trivial, stressful aspects of everyday life, losing sight of life’s true joys and beauty. We forget to live, to embark on adventures, to spend time with loved ones, to connect with nature, and to embrace all the wonders life has to offer.

My brother is a wonderfully spontaneous and adventurous soul—the freest spirit I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. He lived without fear and wanted nothing more than to live life to the fullest. In his honor, I vow to Live Like Skylar Tillis: to embrace life fully and cherish every moment.

Being in nature, focusing solely on the present, grants a sense of freedom and peace like nothing else. I have the physical capability to do this now, and I want to embrace this opportunity—not just for myself, but in honor of my brother.

Ever since I read Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods in the 6th grade, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail has been at the top of my bucket list.

It's now or never.

Life truly is short. There is no tomorrow. It's only now.

However, the 2,190-mile journey is costly. It requires 5 to 6 months’ worth of food, occasional hotel/hostel stays, gear, multiple pairs of shoes, hygiene necessities, permits, and more—all while maintaining my regular monthly expenses. Saving enough on my own could take years. Any support to help me pursue this monumental dream would mean the world to me.