Thank You

By Mark Heggestad
An envelope from my sister-in-law and her husband arrived in the mail right before we left for Oregon.  It was a little bulky and appeared to hold more than a standard card.  I’ll get to the bulky part in a bit.  The message on the card read, “Life Adventures Guaranteed, Instructions not Included”.  What a great quote!  We have not even begun the actual bike ride, but four-days into the road trip out we have already had surprises and adventures far beyond what we had imagined.  Some interesting, many beautiful, some annoying, and some that have completely set us back.  But as I said the other day, “a journey wouldn’t be as fun if it was a straight line.”  Similarly, I can hardly expect the beautiful surprises without acknowledging there will be a few adverse ones.

Brian and I were commenting today that part of what makes this journey so exciting is never knowing what the next turn will bring.  Each day we start our bike ride about the only thing we know with certainty is that something unexpected is likely to happen.  That uncertainty makes it exhilarating, and ending the day knowing we experienced it makes it fulfilling.

In the time leading up to this trip I have had an endless stream of well wishes.  Friends and family have wished me good luck, said they will be thinking of me, and indicated I will be in their prayers.  That bulkiness in the card – it was a small glass angel and a message that read, “sending an angel to watch over you and Brian as you ride – to help carry you through each mile.”  I plan on carrying that angel in my saddle bag at all times; not just as a gift from my sister-in-law, but as a symbol from all those who have wished me well and are praying for our safety.  Thank You! I appreciate your thoughts.

Tomorrow the journey begins……

Eve of the Big Journey.  Brian and Mark view a sunset over the Pacific and contemplate what lies ahead.

Comments

  1. Brian BentleyMay 1, 2017 at 8:05 AM

    No Pictures?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 3, 2017 at 7:58 AM

    The angel reminds me of a bell motorcyclists give to friends when they buy their first (or new) bike...... Ride safe, my friend! ENJOY!

    ReplyDelete

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