Maddie Millsip

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Thanks for your letter on westcoastpaddler.com, Maddie! You’re quite an impressive young woman being “only” 15 year-old, in writing, paddling, appearance! If you triple that in those 30 years laying between us, the (paddling) world will have a way bigger “star” than I’ll ever able to be!

 

Maddie Millsip:

>It is quite easy to say that I did not know the meaning of inspiration until I met Freya Hoffmeister.

I went to both the Vancouver and Victoria presentations, and I felt mesmerized the whole time. Her journey was incredible. An amazing feat.

It is quite interesting to see the effect that one person can have on so many different people. Everyone left her presentation with something to think about, and I believe that she has added more fuel to the fire for a lot of people, and will drive them to accomplish goals that they may have set for themselves.

She is what every paddler aspires to be, and very few ever become. She is confident, dedicated, courageous, and self reliant. She is truly a beautiful woman.

She taught me so much in such a short amount of time, and has no doubt left a lasting impression. She helped me realize how much time there is. Between her and I, there is a 30 year age difference. She let me see that it’s okay not to get everything done right away. I have plenty of time to accomplish my dreams, and it will be just as significant to fulfill them later as it would be to fulfill them now.

I admire how she has the courage to do things for herself, and for no one else. That is real strength.

As I sat on the ferry and listened to my Dad and Freya speak with one another, it became so apparent how knowledgeable and wise she is. I could spend days just listening to her journeys and stories.

I was kind of sad to see Freya go when we disembarked the ferry. I felt as though I had only met the tip of the iceberg known as Freya.

I feel so privileged to have been able to meet and paddle with her. It was one weekend of my life that I will never forget.

I would very much like to thank SheilaP for her hospitality and for helping to organize the Victoria presentation and paddle.

From now on, I will carry my own little piece of Freya with me wherever I go, and she will bring me good luck.<

2 comments on “Maddie Millsip

Rose

Maddie, you are not alone…Freya inspires other women in a wonderful way.

Most of all, as you say, seeing the strength Freya has to do things for herself alone provides an enormous source of inspiration. I am very much older than you, but Freya has inspired me in this way as well, in a society that expects women to put the needs of others ahead of their own.

That frees us to be the people we really are, and to follow our own hearts truly…how lucky you are to have learned this while you still have so much time. All the best with the things you hope to do Maddie…and make use of all the time you have…you will accomplish so much in your life!

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