Megan’s walk

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 2007

Leesburg lost one of its own – one of its best – last week. Megan Stewart, just 15, succumbed to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and passed away on Thursday, September 13.

Her father and mother, Eric and Pam Stewart, have lost their gorgeous, precious daughter. Her brother, Ben, has lost his wonderful sister. Their families have lost a beloved niece and cousin and granddaughter. Her friends, including those at Loudoun County High School, have lost someone so dear to them.

It’s true – Megan had CF, but it wasn’t the first thing you thought of when you saw her. You saw a vivacious and lovely young girl, curious, intelligent, kind, someone full of life who never felt sorry for herself, and never asked you to.

Every year, her parents would organize a fundraising event for CF research, called Megan’s Walk. Every year, rain or shine, friends, family and colleagues would come out to stretch and walk, talk and laugh, eat and drink, and contribute some money to the cause.

Many of the folks at those walks – joined by many more – gathered again Tuesday night at St. James Episcopal Church to say goodbye to Megan and hear the heartbreaking but heartfelt words of those who spoke.

Among those speakers was her father, Eric, who shared with us many stories about Megan – little moments in time that spoke volumes about Megan and the things she loved and valued and hoped for. In these little vignettes, it’s evident that much of Megan’s strength came from her amazing family.

They say that life is a journey that we start and end alone. No one really knows how long their own journey will be, and where the end of the road lies. It’s what we do along the way that matters, anyway.

Megan’s walk of life was short, but it was watched by many. We saw her move through life at different stages, sometimes nearly at a run, sometimes slow enough to smell the flowers and feel the sun.

Megan’s life, the fact of it, is proof that we need not be defined by our difficulties and our sorrows. She’s shown us, very clearly, how even the most challenging road can be traveled with humor and courage.

And she leaves us with a reminder for the rest of our lives: to walk – with purpose, with joy and with love.

If you would like to make a contribution in memory of Megan Stewart, memorials may be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6917 Arlington Road, Ste. 308, Bethesda, MD 20814. # # #