Hello, it’s that time again to fill you in on what’s been going on and what’s about to come into my world. Been some highs and lows over the past month. I tell you what it’s been a lot of rough things over the summer. I mentioned to you about the passing of my mother when she was involved in a horrific car accident. I then ended up getting a cellulitis infection which put me off the bike for about 7 days. Then a very good friend of our family, who is my mom’s next door neighbor and great friend of 30 years, lost her husband who we also knew for 30 years, and such a good man. I have to give him credit for calling me a man’s man when that’s exactly who he was. He was somebody who you wanted to be like, look up to, share stories with, and just know as a friend. He was in his seventies and had multiple issues with his lungs. His wife has been a great strength for me since the passing of my mother. I was privileged to introduce these people to the girl I was dating She just broke up with me 2 days ago, muxed thoughts there.. I graduated high school with their son and I am grateful for their friendship. Too many bad things over the past 3 months. It reminds me of a time when I was 15 years old extending to almost 18 years old. My grammy passed on, I suffered a spinal cord injury and all that came with it, my cousin committed suicide, my grandmother passed away, my grandpa passed away, and my mother’s aunt passed on. Just a very very rough time at such a young age and I was ultimately more concerned about my parents and brother then I was myself. Unfortunate times in our life where stuff just happens. Just wish the incidents that happened within those times could have spread out a little further. Back then is much like what has happened over the summer but not in a shorter amount of time.
People have asked me before if I’ve ever seek counseling because of this trauma or stuff I have faced in life. I actually never have. But, been considering it at this moment because I wanted to call my mother numerous times just as I did before. It’s definitely not my first rodeo with stuff like this. Working in the medical field for a number of years, having friends with severe disabilities and injuries, an immense strength in Christ, and more, has helped me get through. This isn’t a lesson or justification on the fact that I’ve used other tools to help me get through tough times but Christ, exercise, keeping my shoulder to the wheel with goals and purpose, and talking to people has been a help. For example, getting back on my bike and training for the upcoming world championships has been a huge help. Endorphins are a wonderful thing and I know how to utilize resources and tools such as exercise to help stay balanced. We shall see but with big things coming up in the next 2 to 3 weeks with the Championships I’m going to hold off on seeking that. I think the situation, or situations, I’ve been going through have probably affected performance on the bike a bit but I’m managing. I’m pretty confident I’m going to put in a great time and effort in both the road race and time trial in Huntsville. I’m going to fill you in on how everything goes in Huntsville in September. The goal is to get a medal but ultimately I just want to go as hard as I can with respect to what I’ve been through.
There’s just a lot going on and I hope you don’t mind that I’m leaving this blog fairly short. I’m starting to teach tomorrow as well with the semester starting at the university which I’m looking forward to.