9/20/23

He sat before me looking much older than his stated age of 93. 

As I had with many of my older patients I asked him what had been notable, important in his life… sure that I could learn the secrets of Time. 

“ I remember my daddy…he was a Jamaican slave…freed …who came to America to start a new life when Monroe was President”.

Wait! Monroe? That was 1820. 

I was used to Civil War parents or grandparents but 1820? Monroe?

His father had sired him while in his early 90s …a veritable stud-muffin…and had lived another 10 years before dying early in the 20th century.

I asked for details…

“ He came to America free and worked his whole life to help his family and help others get free…he never gave up hope for better times…that was the most important thing in my life…my daddy”. 

Over and over again I asked the same question to patients in their 80s, 90s, even 100s only to get a very similar response. Electricity, the two World Wars, the Depression, the Bomb, TV, Automobiles, the Telephone, Computers, the Internet…nothing ever compared to the concern and love… or pain and grief …for a loved one. 

It became clear that in the end it was people who mattered to other people…nothing much else. 

There was almost always Hope for the Future and Faith that the next generation would “do better” but it was always people …usually family… at the center of that Hope and Faith.

In a few days I will start what will probably be my last MS ride. I tend to process in cycles of 7 years. It has been 8 years with that organization now…I feel the winds of change.

I decided to do this ride not so much to accomplish anything…rather I wanted to be one more time with people who mattered to me . I know more than half of the riders and hold each of them in high esteem. 

They are people with Faith in Humankind, Hope for the Future and Hearts of Gold… with help for  strangers  at their finger tips. 

I think of all the miles I have ridden, twice around the earth at the equator, all the beautiful nature I’ve seen, the people who I’ve met along the rides who reaffirm my belief in the basic Good , the money I’ve raised for MS…none of these compare to my thoughts of the other riders.

When asked 15 -20 years down the way what I most remember about the rides it will be those who struggled with me …those in front of me  and those behind me on long difficult mountain climbs. Those who I helped and those who helped me. Those who never gave up Hope of climbing that Mountain… or Faith that we would all make it to the Top. 

I will relish my 5 days with them as I ride from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. 

A Freed slave 200 years ago climbed mountains to help his family …

Every day we can follow  in his footsteps through Faith, Hope and Charity. Our respective Families are there waiting to continue the Journey with us or for us…the Bikes are propped up against that Pickett  fence…

May you each find an Angel to lead  the way…