- One slab of sidewalk and a dream of just getting to the next day.

Keep going, just to not give up, just to never give up.

- [Jamie] Sometimes it can feel that all the color drains from life, but this northern Michigan woman is making sure her temporary messages leave a lasting impact.

For more than 5,000 consecutive days, Susan Melton has turned cold, gray concrete into vibrant canvases.

One message of hope at a time.

- [Susan] Keep ready your story, keep believing in yourself.

You matter.

You're not alone.

Those definitely come up a lot because I think those are the most important messages for people to see.

And for me too.

- [Jamie] Susan picked up a piece of chalk on May 30th, 2011, not realizing she was about to start a movement.

Since then, her unique creations of color have brought brightness to some dark days.

- The original inspiration was depression.

I mean, seriously, not in a good spot, trying to come up with a way to make feel better.

- [Jamie] This kaleidoscope of creations has become a welcome part of daily life for members of the Cheboygan community.

- That consistency, it's almost like getting up and having your cup of coffee.

Some of 'em you just walk by and you just kinda giggle because they're really cute and quirky.

She'll chalk little gnomes with like flowers sticking out of their mouths and cute little sayings.

But then sometimes, and it's almost like magic.

If you're having a bad day or something has happened in your life that you just need that little boost, that's the day you run across one of her talks that's like, oh my gosh, it hits home so deeply.

- They're so special and they just brighten up my day knowing that somebody does this.

In the back of your mind, somebody working to inspire people every day.

She is a chalk fairy.

She is.

- [Jamie] From sweltering summer days to winter mornings when the temperature is well below freezing, you can find Susan with a piece of chalk in hand.

- Even when it rained, even when it snowed, even when the wind's blowing, even when I'm sick, I just kept telling myself, "You just have to get this done."

That was my purpose, to go another day to get this done.

Just go another day.

And then pretty soon, I start feeling better, and I just kept going.

So when I hit the three month mark, I'm like, "Hmm, let's just see how far I can go."

So I kept going and then hit a year, five years, 10 years, and 5,000 sidewalks tomorrow.

Sometimes, I can't even believe it myself.

- [Jamie] Susan's resiliency has had a ripple effect.

Her work has become a beacon of encouragement, sometimes for people she's never met.

- I have chalked as far north as Marquette and Munising, Alpina.

I've chalked in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Las Vegas, and California.

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.

But pretty much almost every city in northern Michigan that's along either US 31 or down I-75.

My goal is to chalk in all 50 states.

- [Jamie] On this 5000th day, members of the community bundled up and came out to pick up their own chalk and to celebrate Susan.

- [Friend] That it.

- That's it.

(crowd cheering) (car honking) - [Roger] I think she's just got a lot of love in her heart.

I know she does.

- She is an inspirational person.

Her kindness knows no bounds.

So when you look at something, being able to let people know that's how you feel today.

That's pretty deep.

And that shows a deep love for all of the people in the community and the entire community as a whole.

- [Jamie] After 5,000 days, what does Susan hope people will take away her journey?

- You know, I still have bad days.

Every day's not perfect, but this has made a huge difference in pulling myself out of those bad days a little bit faster than I was able to before.

And knowing that somebody else might come across the sidewalk and it might make them think, make them smile, make their day feel a little bit better is a huge to me, that's why I do it.

- [Jamie] She plans to carry on her sidewalk chalk project to continue to shine a light on mental health and suicide prevention.

- There's help, there's always, always help.

I never take this off.

It's my reminder.

It's the crisis helpline.

It's the 988 number that you can text or call anytime you need help.

And that's the big thing.

You're not alone, and it's okay.

You're not alone, and it's okay.

(gentle music)