At first sight

I had a great ride yesterday. That's what I thought this post would be about. The roads the hills the guy that tried to pass me. All the now normal actions that can happen on any ride I go out on. I and thousands of other riders. Competitive, recreational, family and all the rest. Just chest pounding and feeling good. Tales of testosterone and endorphins. It's all good. I'm not about to complain. Not one line am I about to complain. This is another story.
This morning, after coffee, after a cheese danish, after being able to do most everything for my self. Talking to Mary Anne, loving the light she walks in. Being able to do all the things I wanted to do. Being happy to have good drugs that let me live my day in a mostly pain free way. Living in a beautiful condo in a wonderful part of town, near good roads to get my rides to the country roads. All the everyday miracles. And I feel this way most everyday. Even on days that are not so good. I still see the miracles. Today, the day I learned another true believer lost his way. Not a friend, not a fellow club rider, Not a racer I had heard about. Not any of these. Just another true believer that picks the bike up and goes out on the road to put on the miles. An every day guy. Father, husband, son, and all the rest you can think of. A rider with a helmet on. Gloves and shorts. Maybe a "powerbar" to. Just you or me. Riding in a park because he was afraid to ride on the roads. A nice well paved park with a good loop to ride in relative safety. A place you would feel safe and take your family. Your daughter or son on their first ride. Learn the way of the true believers.
Today was another sad story. A car and a bike. You can make the story up from there on your own. It's never good. A car and a bike in a park made for people. The bike always gets the worst of it. Death would be a favor in this case. No hands, no legs, no arms. A quadriplegic. It happens all the time. The car always wins. The biker always pays the price. We all keep going on. The true believers. We lost a friend today. One of the faceless millions. A rider of a bike. A family man. Your next door neighbor. He will never walk again. He will never use his hands again. You can fill in the blanks.
I am blessed, and I send my blessings to this stranger today. You are my brother, you are my friend, you are me. Bless your house and all who love you. I am a true believer and I believer in you.