“In the course of a week, he became to me a brother, a father, a friend, and the most worthy of confidence. His uniform good temper, coolness in danger, and resources in difficulties, his prudence, fortitude, and perseverance, under the most trying circumstances, render him a most valuable character."
-William Clark talking about his friend Meriwether Lewis.
In 1804, two remarkable explorers and leaders embarked on an incredible journey from the bustling frontier town of St. Louis. Their mission, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, was to chart the path to the Pacific. Over two years, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark would lead an expedition that covered a staggering 8,000 miles of wilderness, ultimately reaching the Pacific at the mouth of the Columbia River, now known as Oregon.
It's hard for us to grasp the enormity of their accomplishments truly. The yet-to-be-named states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington had no roads or truck stops. No inflatable sleeping pads, pop-up tents, or origami kayaks. They made their canoes the old-fashioned way—by digging them out. Their band of boatmen, soldiers, and interpreters rounded each bend, not knowing if it meant a tribe was ready to kill them or help them.
Lewis was a leader to his core, possessing the qualities you'd find in anyone who accomplishes what others deem impossible: vision, decisiveness, courage, communication, resilience, integrity, discipline, trust, humility, and curiosity. He even insisted that William Clark be his co-commander despite outranking him. He took his men into an unforgiving environment and brought them back like Ernest Shackleton a century later. It was powerful leadership, a man committed to the mission and his men.
To top it off, Lewis documented over 120 new species of plants and animals, including the grizzly bear, coyote, prairie dog, and big horn sheep. Despite all the evidence and documentation, Lewis received very little credit.
Unfortunately, Lewis never published his work, and he ultimately took his own life. The reasons remain debatable, with some suggesting it was an accident or foul play, but it's clear that he suffered from depression, anxiety, and possibly bipolar disorder. What's likely true is that his biological state, combined with the self-imposed pressure to achieve financial success from his journey and his increasing dependence on alcohol, pushed him to his limits. His struggles as the new Governor of the Louisiana Purchase only added to his burdens.
We can't pretend to know what he was thinking, but we know it didn't have to end this way. Maybe he felt like a failure, perhaps he saw no way out, or he found himself alone, and the convergence of alcohol and depression showed him a door he couldn't resist.
It makes one wonder if he had a true friend on that cold night, whether they could have helped. As you head into your week, consider how we can all be real friends. Real friends ask real questions and want real answers.
“How are you doing? No, really. How are you doing?”
And I don't want the socially accepted answer, 'I’m great.' I want the truth."
Most of us are usually moving through something, whether it's a past trauma, a recent challenge, or a fear about the future. Most of us would appreciate the space to say, "I'm struggling. Let me tell you about it. I don't want to whine or complain, but here's what's happening. Thanks for asking, making space for me in your life, and being someone who makes me feel I'm not alone."
It takes work to care. It takes work to ask hard questions and deal with real answers. But it's always worth it. We'll never know what might have happened if someone had taken the time to be the friend that Meriwether Lewis needed. It's a powerful reminder that every interaction is an opportunity to be the friend someone needs.
Take care, friend. You aren’t alone.
Unseen Struggles: Meriwether Lewis's Journey