Instead of my usual post about scenery, folks I've met and how tough or fun the riding has been, I'd like to devote today's post to my mom, Judi, since today is her birthday. I believe that my mom's influence is one of the reasons I'm out here doing this insane trip. Although I'm told that she had a rather conservative and protective upbringing, the woman I know as my mom evolved beyond that and reached out to explore her world as an adult. She developed an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, meet new people and try new foods. These are qualities I dearly value in myself and I thank her for passing them on to me. Even as she was battling lung, brain and bone cancer, she often talked about trips she'd like to take and things she'd like to do "after she got better." Sadly, she didn't have those opportunities but even this has served as a very real lesson to me to grab the most from life while you can. One of my mom's favorite things to "grab" was a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Since there wasn't one in Manhattan, where she lived for many years, she would insist on making multiple visits to the local DQ whenever she went down to see my aunts in Florida or she came to Philadelphia. Since her passing, it has become a family tradition to get together and go to a DQ for a Blizzard in her honor. Today I find myself in Scott City, KS and, much to my amazement, there's a DQ here! So, naturally, I got off the bike and walked up to the counter, hot, sweaty and gritty as can be, and proudly ordered a Blizzard to cool myself and honor my mom. While I'm sorry that I couldn't be at the annual family gathering for her birthday, at least I'm celebrating in my own way out here. Finally, as those of you following these blog posts have noticed, I've placed a link to the Lance Armstrong Foundation at the bottom of each post. I've received a number of donations to this worthy cause and I'd like to thank those of you who have contributed from the bottom of my heart. If you have been thinking about making a donation but just haven't gotten around to it yet, this is a perfect opportunity to do so for my mom's birthday. I'm not sure when I'll next have an opportunity to get to a library but, stay tuned, as I'll fill you in with more details of the trip at that point. Until then, Happy Birthday Mom - we love you and miss you awfully!Total mileage so far: 1,914
Please consider making a small donation to help cancer survivors (sadly, my mom was not one of them) http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/steveonhisbike
5 comments:
What a great tribute to your mom. May those wonderful memories live in your heart forever. I'll think of her when I pass the DQ that just opened down the road!
Bike on to almost 2,000!
Ruth
I'm so proud of you
I check in once a week at least
You know what would be really cool, too (don't know if it's doable) -- can you put an image of the U.S. with a line showing how far you've come?
Missing you.
Marlene
Thank you for today's blog. No one could have said it better!!
We missed you at our annual celebration of your mom's life, but spent a great deal of the time talking about you and how proud your mom would be. God we miss her.
Much love,
Bun
Steve
What a wonderful entry and tribute to your mom! As you know, my dad is battling stage four prostate cancer so the disease is a part of my everyday life lately.
I give generously each year to the ACS through the United Way, and commend you for raising money through your blog.
If I can get to a DQ, I'll grab a cone to toast your mom! Maybe she's the force helping you up those steep climbs and protecting you on the speedy downhills? What a wonderful thought that would be, huh?
Safe travels,
Ruth
Hi Steve,
It's cousin Mike. I just wanted to say hi, and tell you I love reading your blog. It makes me feel like I'm there with you through your amazing ride cross country. Keep it up. Can't wait to sit down with you and hear all about it. Keep on blogging. Stay healthy and keep on riding.
Take Care,
Cousin Mike
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