The story behind this story: I worked with Leonard Johnson, LeJon, when I was 17 years old at the Solano County Fairgrounds. I assisted him at his booth, cutting the cardboard frames, to place the portraits he drew in.
Leonard had drawn a picture of my mother in charcoal, while at the Solano county fairgrounds.
My mother so was so impressed that drawing that she kept it for over 30 years!
Being ready to explore the world, I asked my mother if I could travel with Leonard to the next “fair circuit” stop in Pleasanton, about 50 miles from my city. After “interviewing” Leonard , she agreed to let her “want to be grown, so bad, son” go.
It was great experience for me to learn about life, be on my own, and provide for myself with the help of this good guy, named Leonard Johnson.
When we parted, that was beginning and end of our relationship, or so I thought.
Who would imagine, that same gentleman, would make the acquintance of another young man, “ready to conquer the world?”, in one of his stays in Phoenix. For over 20 years these guys stayed in touch.
The youngster was Cedric Smiley , who is now a young oldster, an owner of The Ultimate Funk Shop III in Phoenix, AZ.
About 3 years ago, I had met Cedric. Being a marketing consultant, I offered my marketing and promotional services and Cedric and I became business associates and friends.
One day , Ced, mentions he helping his friend , Leonard Johnson, a 74 years old man, with his walk across the United States. I didn’t put any thought to that statement, except maybe, that’s nice.
While visiting Ced’s office in Phoenix, I saw a cart with the gentleman name on it, and still did not put any thought toward his assistance to this 74 year old artist who was now in Phoenix.
What did capture my attention, was the drawing on this cart. It was “like” the drawing of my Mother.
Now, I was interested. I though there is no way this could be the same Leonard Johnson, I knew as a kid. But, the drawing style was unmistakable, the style was like a signature, and I had not seen that signature in years. Upon querying Cedric , to my amazement, it was determined , it was the same guy.
30 + years later!!!!!!!
Isn’t life amazing. Ain’t God something??!!! 30+ year later , the harvest of a seed, yields.
This one good guy, who meet two young men, who will later cross paths, helps those young guys transition from kids to men. Leonard Johnson, gave his friendship to two young men that he could not have known would produce another friendship, 30 years later.
The result of that friendship, now allows those two guys to be able to give back to Leonard Johnson in what he is trying to achieve. What the odds this could happen. What are the odds it would happen??
If you can figure those odds, you need to be at a casino.
Leonard Johnson “Walk the Walk” cross country journey has several objectives:
1. To honor his wife , who passed due to cancer.
2. To develop a scholarship fund for youth with an artistic interest.
3. To meet people in a personal way, actually going to the public around the country, on foot.
4. To give honor to God, by walking in Faith.
As you read this article, you see why I had to get involved with this project.
I am strongly encouraging you too to get involved.
ARTIST ON CROSS COUNTRY PASSES THROUGH
“I was exasperated”, he said, remembering that afternoon. “Those who hadn’t passed on were in such poor physical shape. A lot of them were younger than me.”
Worried that he might wind up in that same condition, the traveling artist decided to pack his belongings and start walking. So far, he has walked nearly 500 miles from California to Phoenix. At this rate, he said, he hope to make to Coney Island, N.Y., by Mid November.
“People say I am off my rocker”, said Johnson, strolling by the sate fairgrounds on Tuesday. “But like Neil Armstrong said, “to live is to challenge the limites.’ ”
Johnson kicked off his nine month journey on March 11, his late wife’s birthday, in Venice Beach, Calif., where he started sketching 42 years ago.
He begins in the early mornings, trekking about 15 miles a day, three miles an hour.
Johnson said that being in the stillness of the desert is “like being with God.” Without a trace of civlization in sight for seven days and nights, Johnson said, the stars were never so clear, the sunsets never so bright.
“If I was tired, I would stop and look at the light on the mountains,” Johnson said. “That would take all the strain out of it.”
The silence of the earth would only be interrupted by the sounds of his footsteps and the soft rumble of his metal rolling cart, carrying a bedroll, water, a cooler filled with cans of tuna fish and hot sauce, a single change of clothing, a laptop where he keeps his journal, a digital camera and a sketch pad.
At first he was also lugging a small tent along, but when that became too cumbersome, he decided that he would just continue with the bare necessities. Friends have driven out to bring him extra shoes and supplies. He’s saved up just enough cash to stay at a cheap motel one night a week.
Wearing a straw hat and headphones, Johnson spends his hours reminiscing.. Some times he talks to the animals. Oftentimes, he talk to God.
He said he once came across a man riding a bicycle. They started chatting and soon, standing in the middle of the desert, Johnson started sketching the man’s portrait. The man gave him so money and wished him well.
He takes photographs of the scenes and characters that captivate him, hoping to one day create the longest panoramic portrait in the world.
Johnson has been a security guard, teacher, minister and artist. He has lived in Phoenix for a couple of years at a time in the 60’s, ’70s and ‘80s, selling portraits at fairs.
Johnson doesn’t ask “ What ifs.” He said he doesn’t wonder about what might stop from reaching his destination. Instead, he only thinks about today.
“I missed a lot in life by not enjoying where I was at, always striving to be somewhere else,” Johnson said.
“I’ve learned that you just need to enjoy where you are. If you don’t like what you see at the present, then you walk on.”
Take me to Lejon's Personal Conversation
LEONARD HAS FINISHED THE WALK ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
Here is an article that was written about Leonard's walk.
REUNION SPURS JOURNEY TO NEW YORK
BY MICHELLE WOO
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
The realization came when 74-year-old Leonard Johnson reunited with his hometown buddies a gathering in Cleveland.
LEONARD HAS FINISHED THE WALK ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
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