100 weeks

Keep it Real Wednesday

100 weeks

January 13, 2021

As many of you know, the Blessing Bike evolved from Wade’s caring heart (and genius) in seeing the potential of an old rusted cargo bike on Craig’s List.  Within weeks of picking up the old bike, Wade transformed it into a beautiful passenger bike for Rosemary and me to enjoy together.  Oh, how it changed our lives. The joy Rosemary experienced quickly spread and we decided to form the Blessing Bike non-profit corporation to help others experience the same thing. Thankfully, with the help of family and friends, we found a way to overcome many barriers along the way and have been able to build nearly 60 bikes in our garage the last 2 years. This year, we hope to bring it closer to 100 bikes (God Willing…).

We have received so much great advice along the way, some of which I want to share with you today. My friend Jacquelyn reminded me early in our non-profit journey that the Blessing Bike is not just about bikes, it is about relationships, sharing stories, coming together as a group to help those with barriers experience the outdoors.  It is about community and yes, it is personal.

She encouraged me to bare my soul a bit – to loosen up and be REAL in telling our stories. She encouraged me to start a weekly blog. 

I was frightened. I have never been a confident writer and sharing my private life was a little scary. Nonetheless, I took the leap and started a blog 100 weeks ago.

I held my breath as I posted my very first blog.  All of my insecurities bubbled to the top and the anxiety was stifling.

But then, something happened.

People connected.  Others felt the same.  A small community was formed. Nothing negative happened. Not one person corrected a misplaced comma or criticized a story.

The Blessing Bike is not just about Rosemary, or me, or this blog. It’s bigger than that. It’s about people connecting with people.

As we celebrate this 100^th week of Keep it Real Wednesday, I want to thank you.

Thank you for being gentle as I bear my soul, share our stories and allow Rosemary and I, and our family, to share our lives with you.

I have shed more than a few tears along the way when you have emailed your stories.  Some of you we have been able to help, others we couldn’t but each email, message and call have touched my life in ways I would have never imagine.

Your stories matter.  What you do every day in caring for other people matters.

Thank YOU for letting me share our lives with you.