Meredith Emerson went for a walk in the woods with her dog on New Year's Day.  

What she did resonated with me a great deal because it spoke of an independent spirit, and I felt a kinship to this unknown young woman. I've always walked my own path. It's not easy, and not always successful. But, I would rather struggle, I think, even as I wonder what it would be like to just glide smoothly for a bit, I would rather struggle and keep trying to live creatively in a world that is more than ready to put me down, than to sink complacently beneath the waves of passvity that empower the status quo.

Meredith Emerson went for a walk in the woods with her dog on New Year's Day.

We can't ignore her death, nor should we, but the celebration of her life and spirit should negate the horror that consumed her in the end.

She is every vibrant young woman in the experiential stage of her life.

She is every young woman who wants to live her life in peace and harmony.

She is every young woman who is living in the midst of personal or political turmoil.

She is every young woman who wants a space of her own.

She is every young woman who walks towards a mountain wanting to see the view from the top.  

Young women of the world, I ask you to walk in order to celebrate independence of thought and action. Walk, because there are many who would take that away from us. 

Wherever you are, take a proud step in the direction of your dreams. Help others along the way. There are those who would hurt us and those who would kill us for our independence. Not every sister shall make it. Some are dying as I write this, and as you read this.

But we must insure that we keep moving forward, that we don't give in to fear and despair. We must remember that, as women, we have every right to co-exist in peace with men, our brothers. And when that right is taken away and we are not allowed to flourish for any reason, we must agitate, and educate, and rebel, and demand changes. The quality of life in our world depends upon it, now more than ever.

Meredith Emerson went walking in the woods with her dog on New Year's Day.

In her honour, take a walk alone. Think about your life. Think about your philosophy. Think about your goals. Think about the world. Take your own measure. Above all, do not be afraid to walk your own path.

Thoreau said, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately."

Meredith Emerson shall always walk in beauty through the magnificence of nature. She will walk without fear. She will walk with gusto. The light of love shall guide her towards the mountaintop.

Meredith Emerson went for a walk in the woods with her dog on New Year's Day. It was the perfect thing to do.