On November 17th, Jean left the Schumann, maybe a bit apprehensively. The weather was uncommonly cold and wet. Chris gave him thermal socks and running gloves and, believe me, they were more than useful. I was checking the weather on the Net and some nights in Alabama were colder than in Montreal!!!
The next stop: Montevallo, AL where he arrived on the 17th in late afternoon. I was thinking of him, wishing he would find a dry and warm place to sleep. It was raining so hard that he didn't dare opening up his buggy to take out his tent, fearing everything would get wet. So he slept under the bridge, in his sleeping bag where it was dry but not necessarily warm.
On the 18th, I received this email:
"Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 16:42:45 -0600
I met Jean today at the convenience store where I work in Montevallo, AL. He looked incredibly well and spirited, even though the weather here is so bad. Sleet, rain, freezing temperatures did not seem to slow him down. He stood in the store for about 30 minutes, wherein a sweet older man named Homer gave him a little money to get him through town (snack money I suppose). He made a copy of directions, and asked for the nearest way to Selma, AL (I'm only guessing, because the way that was described to him is the road from here to Selma).
He was preparing to set foot when I ran out and asked him for his autograph. He was so nice! Another man also got his autograph. Jean told me about the Website, so here I am sending you what I know. Hope everything goes well. Oh yeah, I offered to cook dinner for him, but he said that he had food on his buggy and needed to get going. I sure hope he's okay.
I feel guilty about him leaving our town without having eaten some "home cooking"!
Sincerely,
Christie Johnson
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I can't tell you how happy I am when I receive an email telling me he is okay.
So Jean walked toward Selma, AL where he arrived on November 21st. On the 18th, 19th and 20th, he slept in his tent. On the 20th, I receive another email:
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 20:50:51 EST
This email is to let you know that Jean is ok. He should be in Selma, Alabama by tomorrow morning. My Mother called me today and told me that he came to her house for some water. My Mom and my Aunt gave him some water and they called me and told me the whole story. He gave them his email address so that I could email you to let you know that he is ok. I wish the Beliveau family lots of luck.
Sincerely,
Josh Chappelle
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On the 20th, the Birmingham News published a story on Jean. See the online version on his Website. I wish all the newspapers were "online", sometimes, they are but I don't know about it so I can't put them on his Site. After he has made the newspaper like this, people recognize him and when they see him, they wave at him or honk their horn or just stop and talk to him or something like this: On the 21st, early morning, a car stops alongside the road. Someone gets out and walks toward Jean with a box in his hands. He gives the box to Jean who upon opening it finds a full breakfast: eggs, bacon, toasts and hot coffee. Thank you, whoever you are!
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Subject: Jean Beliveau
Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 18:27:31 -0600
I was reading The Birmingham News tonight (November 20, 2000). In it is an article about your husband along with a picture. I saw him on Friday, November 17th, 2000 walking down Highway 31 in Pelham, Alabama. It was a pretty day. I had just returned from buying a Christmas tree. Not realizing who he was, I recall thinking, "someone is doing what they want to do in life!"
How wonderful! I wish you the best. I hope you make it! I wish I had your courage!
Debra Gravois
Hoover, Alabama
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By the time Jean arrives in Selma, he is badly in need of a shower. He stops at the Police Station where a kind policeman helped him in referring him to the Salvation Army who paid for a hotel room for him. He called me from his room, that evening and he was telling me that this trip has at least a very good effect on him. It makes him appreciate everything. The next morning, he takes his time before leaving his room. He updates his diary and rearranges his buggy. Then he goes to a Library where he takes his emails, and it is back to the road...
I knew that Thanksgiving Day is quite a celebration day in the Unites States and I was wondering how Jean was going to go through this... Maybe he would just keep on walking without noticing anything... But no!!! He really took part in it as you can read:
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"I met Jean about 20 mile West of Selma, Alabama, along Hwy 22, on Thanksgiving morning.
I had heard about his journey on the radio and when we passed him on the road I made a U-turn and went back to meet him. He was all smiles, looked very healthy, and seemed to be full vigor. He asks my son and I to sign his book and showed us pictures of all his family.
I admire his great effort and will keep up with his progress.
Sincerely,
Jamey Propst
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Subject: Our time with Jean!
Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 21:42:07 -0600
Dear Luce,
Today, Thanksgiving Day, my family and I were traveling to my parents home for Thanksgiving when we passed Jean on Highway 22 South, about 15 miles from Selma, Alabama. We are from Selma, and my parents live in the small community of Safford. My wife, Sheridan mentioned that "he didn't have anyone to spend Thanksgiving with, and we should invite him to eat with us", and so after making it to my parents' house , my uncle and I returned to talk to Jean. I invited him to stop by and have lunch with us. He was about 2 miles from the house and said he would love to and would be there in about an hour. My uncle and I walked and met Jean before he reached the house and I pushed his cart for him while we talked. When we got to the house, he met my wife, Sheridan, our two girls LeeAnn and Lesley, my parents, Roddy and Frankie Cahoon, my sister and her husband, Katie and Chris Godbold and son Cole, my uncle and aunt, Ken and Janiece Acton, my grandmother, Ruth Acton, and my aunt, Beth Acton. Jean showed us pictures of you and your kids. He seemed very proud. We had a lot of food to eat and Jean ate everything on his plate. He was really hungry! He ate things he had never eaten, like sweet potato casserole, and dressing that went along with the turkey we ate. We collected about $80 dollars or so and gave it to him for his trip. He was very gracious and became teary-eyed. He seems to have a great heart. Before he left, we took pictures with him and the whole family. I will send one to you when we get them developed. I'm just writing to let you know that we took good care of him, and meeting him today made everyone's day a little brighter. We wish Jean the best and know that he will be taken care of in the future. God bless, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Wes Cahoon
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I was so happy when I read that! It made me feel like if I was part of the celebration myself...
Jean told me on the phone that the "sweet potato casserole" was something so delicious I should try to find the recipe. After he went back on the road, he told me he must have received 4 complete dinners given by people who saw him go by. He ate like never before in his life and it was so comforting he didn't mind the sleeping under a bridge, that night.
Till next week...
Luce