On August 21, 2010, I was struck by a grocer's tractor trailer while completing a metric century ride in California.
It's been a journey of humbling, challenging days in which I have struggled to maintain a positive attitude. It's sort of like being on a diet--some days the 'woe is me' in me wins but most days it's the 'glass is half full' in me crossing the finish line first. Every day though, I win because I am here breathing, thinking, healing and appreciating all of the wonderful help I have been given.
I can't lie, there have been long moments of pushing the pictures out of my mind of the beautiful sunny fall days of being on my bike enjoying the hills in the cooler weather. I have pushed them out because, for me, this autumn, it won't be me out there. Periods have emerged where I pushed aside the snapshops of enjoying the bagels and coffee at our beloved Nosh Bagelry following a terrific November day of cruising around in temperatures that serve as our reward for withstanding Arizona summers. For this November, I'll be sitting out.
Today, there's progress to be applauded and countless people to chase down and thank. Today, I have a husband whose patience, thoughtfulness and care equals mountains of every good thing I can think of. Today, I have dreams of returning to riding sooner than later.
Everyday though, no matter what, I close my eyes as I aim for sleep, sometimes without much of a target,
and I imagine myself whole, healthy, happy and back on my bicycle. Days, weeks, months...no matter...I will continue to hope for that fine day.
