I knew the best way to start today would be...

A pleasant 5 AM pedal on the bike. Calm. Relaxed.

Can you read the fine print?

This sign is the greeting in our new town library. We are all ordinary. We all have do much potential.

First outside ride in 2016

It's interesting to look back. Our first Boston Brain Tumor ride was a hard fought 25 miles. Yesterday we rode for the first time on the street in 2016 and easily pushed out 22 miles. Ruby and Ruby Roo rolling on in great form.

My partner won't be riding in the Pan Mass Challenge. It will feel very odd not to have her by my side.

Why pedal at 5:50 AM?

For Frank. Whose long won battle with breast cancer has comeback with a vengeance in his liver and brain. Prayers for Frank and his family.

#panmasschallenge

Would you take one for the team?

Proud to be part of Team Kermit.
#panmasschallenge #teamkermit

Yea... Daughter provided bunny ears and all.

I'm sad but glad.

We have been in Walt Disney World for the past week. In 4 hours we will be home, hopefully. As one can never really know what the traffic on 95 holds for anyone. We passed two horrid accidents yesterday when we set off from Orlando. But I digress.

This week I watched my two youngest girls grow and enjoy themselves and at times get frustrated. The joy of being with dear friends and even a boyfriend. Frustration borne out of learning patience. But she will get there. This was our last together trip for a while as college is ahead once again. The oldest is already out of our nest. Sadly for this momma who could not be more proud. Oh to keep them close but to let them fly free.

Disney is our happy place. Happy to share it with friends and family. To share the Disney love and joy. My girls embrace those qualities and hopefully they will carry them and rely on them as they grow.

Exercised at Disney World?

Pan Mass waits for no one. Prayers through training.

FOR DAD!

Love You!

Kindness is King

We are in the happiest place on earth. Where tired children run into frustrated adults. And as I walk about the parent of teens. I see and hear a multitude of other parents with their younger children. And I smile.  Been there. Done that. Learned from that. Enjoyed that.

What I learned was Kindness in Key and King and of course Queen. Kind, loving, firm, direct, corrections get the best results out of children. Whereas the screaming, and threatening, when a parent is at their wits end, might have a quick response, but it's not lasting. 

I have seen it with my own girls. Screaming and scolding might release frustration, but it doesn't build up the trust and love required for those tough teen years.  I do love my teens. Today, I witnessed a dad, frustrated and tired, yelling at his child to remove something from their mouth. The child removed it, then walked away ten feet and put it back in. The dad's screaming started in again. The toy, now beyond arms length, was never removed.  Interesting.

It takes a whole lot more strength and resolve to be kind in frustrated situations, rather than give into the urge to scream and yell.

To Be Welcomed

Or to be welcoming, every time. That is where the magic is, every time.

To give is to receive.

And more names...

At church this evening, the woman behind us was weak, visibly upset and bald. At the Sign of Peace I asked her name. Clara At Communion my youngest fetched her some tissues. After Mass I asked her if I could add her name to my bike. To pray for her as I train and during the ride.

At 10PM, I rode. For them.

It's Official

Humbled to be part of this Pan Mass Challenge Family.

Life is Prayer

So is bike riding.

Life isn't always about finding the best solution.

Truly it's about finding a solution that works for you.