As I sit here and think about what bicycle related to be thankful for I keep coming back to something non bicycle related.
I am thankful for my children. They have made me a better person. I am far more tolerant and easy going because of them. They may have trouble believing that but, I certainly recall thinking my mom was tough and a bit of a witch. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Most likely the thankful words keep coming back to my children because my eldest scared the living daylights out of me last week.
I was sitting on my sofa feeling sick. That morning I had missed my first cx race in three years because I was feeling ill. Thank goodness I did. When I got the call that said “Daddy??” in that questioning voice I knew this wasn’t a normal phone call.
She told me she was laying still in a field because she had been thrown from a horse and was scared to move. I got directions and hauled over there. The entire time I had no idea what to expect. Was she fine? Was it really that bad?
As it turned out it was bad, but not as bad as it could have been in the long run. A trip to the ER determined she had a fractured vertebrate. This prompted a transfer to Children’s Hospital and a five day stay. I have hurt myself before and I can deal with that ok. Seeing her in pain was awful. There was nothing for me to do.
Once the damage control wore off from my brain and I started to think about the situation instead of “manage” it, is when it truly hit me. I was scared. Scared and thankful. The Doctor described it as best case scenario and assured us that she would heal up but it was a lengthy process. Four months and she should be good as new.
Having time to reflect may have been good for me. Of course I love my girls. Most parents have that deep within them and can relate. Having them scare the living daylights out of me re-affirms that and makes me glad that I have them in my life.
So to finish as I started… I am thankful for my health and the health of my children and loved ones. Fortunately I can ride my bike and figure out what is going on inside my head, or even use it to forget for a bit and just ride.
Take a moment and reflect on what makes you complete as a person. Let the ones you love know you love them, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
