Thank you for riding...
It's a phrase that I've heard over and over. Every time I hear it, I stop, I take it in, I consider the meaning and the story behind it. I am present to the joy and the pain and everything else that must be behind that statement for a cancer survivor.
It wrenches at my heart. It causes me to just be present and breath it in.
It creates a connection between the speaker and me.
I hate the statement. It reminds me of the pain and the work still to do in finding cures for the many different types of cancers.
I never know when it's going to happen. Sure, on the two days of the PMC ride, I'm going to see it on a lot of signs, and talk with more than a few survivors.
But at a CVS on a Wednesday afternoon? Talking with the pharmacist? Right out of the blue?
She saw my Pan Mass Challenge hat, asked if I had ridden the PMC...
Yes...this will be my twentieth year...
Thank you for riding...my daughter was in treatment, she was a pedal partner for one of the teams.
Pedal partners, young children in treatment, become team "mascots" for cycling teams who rally to raise lots of money. Pedal partners come to fundraising events and stops along the PMC route. I've talked with a few and have been surprised at how nonchalant they are about things. They just don't know any differently...
Breathe, Lee, breathe. Take it in, feel the connection, feel the energy, the raw emotion behind it all. This is why you continue to do the PMC...
Now her daughter is 23, a survivor, about to graduate with her masters degree. And maybe a volunteer to help put on the PMC Kid's Ride in Sandwich in a couple of months! Her opportunity to give back...
With love,
Lee
To donate, please visit http://www2.pmc.org/profile/LL0033. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
