Back in the Game

            It’s hard to know where to start with this.  I want to share the story of the loss of my mother and the profound impact that has had on my life.  But so many of you will have already heard that story and I don’t want to lose you.  This is too important.  Maybe the best thing I can do is tell you this story in two parts and let you skip to the second section if you are already close enough to know about my mother and why I’m on this journey.

 

Part I

 

            In 1991 at the age of 48 my mother lost her long battle with cancer.  I was only 21 years old and had no idea what I was doing with my life.  My mother had been my best friend and closest confidant.  Without her, my life spiraled out of control for years.  The guilt of outliving my mother, whom I held in such high esteem, led me down many bad paths.  By the grace of God I was able to pull out of that spiral and onto the path that has led me here today. 

My mother had always talked of all the things she would do when my father retired and she never got to experience them.  So I set out to live the life that she had hoped to.   I travelled, laughed, cried, met everyone I could, did everything I could imagine.  It led me to my wife, my career and everything that is wonderful about my life today.  In a strange way, the death of my mother led to my life. 

            But I don’t want others to have to find life this way.  So I committed to use my love of cycling and the memory of my mother to try to make a difference in the fight against cancer.  The inspiration of Lance Armstrong and the way that his organization was having a profound impact lead me to be a part of that movement.  So I did the LiveStrong Challenge in 2005 and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.  It was an honor to line up and ride with so many people who were taking a stand against this disease, some of them just weeks out of chemo themselves.  I new I would be back.

 

Part II

 

            In 2007 I wanted to raise the game, so I organized a team to head back to the LiveStrong Challenge.  We raised enough money to get to the honorary dinner, and this time Lance was going to be there.  He was also going to be doing the ride we were on.  I was really excited about this opportunity.  But three weeks before the ride, someone dropped into my wheel during a race and I spent three days in the hospital with a broken clavicle, scapula, 5 ribs and partially collapsed lung.  My chance to ride with my hero was gone.  My friend got to ride with him and the organization all sent me a signed poster, which was really nice.

            I’m recovered now and I had been battling with how to get involved again.  I wanted to do something that supported local research, but didn’t have the time to be the organizer with all my commitments.  Along came Pelotonia, a ride that is directly benefiting The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.  And to top it off the Lance Armstrong Foundation is throwing their support behind this event.  So much so, that Lance is coming to ride.

            So here’s my chance again.  I have a chance to ride with my hero.  I have a chance to make a difference.  I have a chance to show my daughter how to help others through the things she loves.  I have a chance to honor my mother for the grand daughter she never met.  I have a chance to honor lost colleagues.  I have a chance to honor everyone who has ever been impacted by cancer by committing to riding my bike 100 miles in a day, and raising $4,000.  I have to ride, so that maybe some young man somewhere doesn’t have to feel the pain of outliving his mother.  So that a mother doesn't have to feel the pain of outliving her son.  So that grandmothers can meet their grand daughters.

Please consider donating to this cause at my page.