In college I had heard about the Ride for Kids and wanted to go to an event. But, I didn't yet feel comfortable asking people for money. In 1999 I saw something about an event in Chicago. I told my mom about it and she got excited. I thought about it some, but forgot about it more than I remembered it. That year, as we rolled into St. Charles, IL there was a little family huddled under an umbrella.The narrow street in the old downtown just off the Fox River was lined with people for a few blocks. But this family was off a little bit and very obvious. They held a sign and I glanced up to read it, "Ally wanted to be here to thank you,..." As I looked back at the road I was ticked. I thought I knew what the rest of the sign said. But as I looked back up, I read the rest of the sign, "...but she's at camp because of you!"
"Oh for crying out loud, I need to see where I'm going!"
That little family hooked me. I haven't been the same since. There have been highlights every year. One year I got the father in law to go along. One of the speakers at the celebration after the ride was none other than my brother-in-law's doctor when he was at St. Jude's for a brain tumor as a toddler. I have never been happier to sit off to the side and let my father in law talk to someone. (He does that when we are out riding together.)
Then last year, something happened that I don't think I shared here. Dominic, my brother in law finally passed away. He lived with the after effects of the cancer treatments. He had a series of strokes and other significant traumas. Finally, at the chronological age of 31, the mental age of 4 (due to the treatments and effects) his little body gave up.
Please go to the link here:
http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR/2016RideforKids/General?px=1216645&pg=personal&fr_id=2645