I Ride For: Nicole

And for Ben, Andrew, & Gavin. Every cancer warrior is different. For some the row they have to hoe is short. Some are long. And some never get a chance to finish. Just as she was pushing through a row that never got a chance to be finished, she found out she had an entire new row in a completely different field.

Nicole found out that she has breast cancer a couple months ago. This is only a couple years after her and Ben’s son Gavin (Andrew’s brother) ran out of time with his own cancer. This is all on top of an uncle and a couple of young family friends running out of time. Too many rows to hoe here.

The term cancer survivor usually refers to someone who actually had cancer. My friend Mary taught me many years ago that these people are actually “warriors”.
I think the term “survivor” should be given to the support people. Ben and Andrew did and are doing what they could and can. Mostly, however, they can only watch, pray, curse, and love. All good and healthy, but not very satisfying.

They are surviving and that too is a tough row to hoe.

I did this flag different. On the front I rode for Nicole, Ben, and Andrew. (I actually spent more of my time thinking about Andrew than Nicole.) On the back I rode for Gavin. (I put his name in White, because a white bicycle on the side of the road represents a cyclist who ran out of time.)

Nicole, I wish I could do more, but like the survivors in your family, I can only show moral support. We cannot remove even one weed from your row. We can only try to contribute a little mental, social, and spiritual strength to help you with your battle.

SHINE!
The Road Rider