Heart and Grit

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23 (NIV)

Photo Cresdit, abcnews.go.com

Friday morning Mama and I made our routine trip to Pelham for her weekly hair appointment. I picked her up at her assisted living facility in Homewood, hit the interstate, and made the 20-mile trip to her hair salon. Our round trip usually takes us between 3.5-4 hours. Throughout our trip, I complained about the traffic, road construction, summer heat, and my still "to do" list for an upcoming family reunion.

20-year old Walter Carr made the same 20 mile trip from Homewood to Pelham last week. Walter had virtually no traffic and his estimated trip time was seven hours. The difference between Walter's trip and mine? He walked. From Homewood to Pelham, in the middle of the night, by himself, in sticky summer heat, to make sure he arrived on time for his first day on the job with Bellhops, a moving company. 

Walter Carr was unknown to most of the world until last week, but he became an overnight media sensation for his determined walk. Carr didn't seek the accolades or rewards that have come his way since his long walk. The Carver High School graduate and Marine hopeful's 2003 Altima had broken down just the day before. Other ride options fell through, but Walter Carr was determined to prove himself to his new employer. Using Google maps, Carr estimated the long walk would require at least seven hours. He needed to be at a Pelham homeowner's home by 8 AM the next day. Carr left his Homewood home at 1140 PM and began walking. 14 miles later some Pelham police officers saw Carr walking in the middle of the night down the highway. After verifying his story, the Pelham police officers gave Carr a much needed ride, took him to breakfast, and even bought him a lunch to go. Walter Carr made it to homeowner Jenny Lamey's house by 7AM, reporting an hour early for his work shift. He went straight to work, packing boxes, refusing the Lamey's generous offer for a nap until the rest of the Bellhops' moving crew arrived.

Jenny Lamey was so impressed with the young man's determination, perseverance, and work ethic that she posted his story to her Facebook page. Lamey wasn't the only one on whom Carr made a lasting impression. Words used this week to describe the young man have included:

 "Inspirational, determined, character, perseverance, humble, hard worker, generous, kind, cheerful, tough, awesome, role model, heart, and grit"

Bellhops' CEO Luke Marklin was so impressed with Carr's "heart and grit"- the very attributes that his company seeks to model- that he drove to Birmingham and gifted his personal vehicle to Walter so that Carr would have a reliable way to get to work. Local news media outlets picked up the feel good story and the national news media quickly followed. Jenny Lamey established a $2000 Go Fund Me page to assist with car repairs and the funds quickly reached $68,000. Since then scholarship and job offers have also poured in for Walter Carr. So have the accolades: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley both tweeted their admiration for him. For his part, Walter Carr committed proceeds over the $66,200 mark of the Go Fund Me money, to be donated to the Birmingham Educational Foundation.  The nonprofit group is dedicated to increasing the number of students in the Birmingham City School system that are on the path to college, career, and life readiness.

CNN's Elizabeth Elkin best summarizes Walter Carr's amazing story, "And what began as a man determined to get to work on time became so much more-- a community coming together to change a life."

There are many life lessons that we can learn from Walter's story. We could focus on Carr's heart and grit; character and determination; gratitude for a job; willingness and commitment to a "whatever it takes to get the job done" spirit. Those aspects of Walter Carr's life were forged in his character long before he began his 20-mile journey. The Greek philosopher Plutarch once wrote, "Character is simply long habit continued" and "Whatever we achieve inwardly will change outer reality." We could also learn from the Pelham policemen's kindness, compassion, and generosity in going beyond the call of duty to protect and choosing also to care and share. But Walter's story would only be known to a few if someone hadn't shared it. Homeowner Jenny Lamey shared Walter's story. In doing so, she redeemed it.

A good story -one that inspires, encourages, and motivates- always contains three essential elements. It's real; it's raw; and it's redemptive. Walter Carr's story has all three of those elements. It's real, raw and redemptive.  It's a story that points us to something beyond ourselves. Walter's own words are the best way to end his amazing story:

"I love to help people. It's always been my goal to inspire, uplift, and do what I can for the community," Walter Carr said.

Mission accomplished, Walter!