World AIDS Day - 2013

Today is World AIDS Day. This banner at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City stands beside a glass case containing something precious in its history and desired to never to be forgotten - a book containing the names of 5,000 people who touched the life of the Cathedral. Five thousand lives lost to AIDS. Five thousand sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, cousins, partners, friends, co-workers, artists, teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, students, homeless, middle-class, wealthy and any other label that is a part of your vocabulary.

Today is World AIDS Day. This is a day in which you may have seen my cycling friends riding their bikes in the cold all across the nation. They rode for a reason - to remind us that this 32 year old battle is still raging. AIDS is not simply a part of our history but, for now, remains in our present and in our future.

Today is World AIDS Day. A day for us to honor and to remember and to be inspired to take action.

Today is World AIDS Day. This day has different meanings for each of us but I hope we all share one thing in common - it is not just another day. What we do with our thoughts will help define tomorrow.

Whatever your banner says, carry it with courage and hold it high.

Passing the Torch

Regretfully, I will not be able to join the Charity Treks ride next week. This has been a wonderful, life-changing journey for me but sometimes in life we hit a few pot holes. While I will miss my Charity Treks family, I am sending them a real gift in two awesome friends, Stephen and Raul who will carry my torch with them.

In many ways, I am sad to see this journey end. Over these two years, I have treasured the memories and education while crossing these 1,735 miles. I didn't quite hit the 2000 mile mark myself and a part of me is disappointed in this. But then I remember - this isn't about me. This is about all of those whose stories I have shared. This is about the victims, the caregivers, the doctors, the nurses and the researchers who have faced AIDS head-on. This is about the mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters and friends who held a loved one close and stood against stigma. This is about them - the real heroes.

To each of you who has served as my encouraging friends and donors, I don't quite know how to thank you. You have made such a difference and I hope that by watching me - with my short legs and fluffy body - you have been inspired to walk or ride or swim for something you feel a passion for supporting. Every person and every dollar matters and that includes you. You really can change the world.

So while I am passing the torch, I hope you will all remember this fight and keep the flame going. I am so privileged to have been able to share my journey with you!

Wishing you tailwinds and happiness in your journey.

Final Tailwinds

Closing in on 2 weeks to head to Burlington, VT. I remember this time last year I was doubting my preparation and wondering if I should even go. This year, once again I doubt my preparation but cannot wait to join this wonderful group of riders and new friends.

It is a little bittersweet this year as I have made the decision not to pursue a 2014 Journey for 1000 miles for AIDS. Not because I don't feel the passion any more - but simply because there are competing priorities that are stretching me thin. I miss my low-country South Carolina family and while my 80+ years mother could easily run circles around me, I would like to see her more than I have over the last 2 years. Work is also incredibly more intense now and this trajectory will likely continue. Equally, I need and desire more quality time with my Atlanta family and friends - for everything from simple dinners to fun vacations.

For those who know me, my work is not just a job to me, it is part of my life's mission. I believe in higher education - I want faculty to be able to focus on educating, physicians to focus on healing, researchers to focus on new discoveries (including an AIDS vaccine) and administrators to focus on clearing the path for these contributions. I am an administrator - and, as such, I am called to help create the path which has become more and more complex since I joined Emory 11 years ago. There is a only a thin veil between expectations and opportunities and I need and want to thrive in that space and help make a difference in the industry I have devoted my life to. I also want my team members to thrive as well - within the definitions they each set for themselves and how it fits in our area responsibilities. I may only be one person - but I am not alone in this belief or desire to cut through the complexity. My 2012 and 2013 AIDS journeys have reinforced this and I am thankful for the wonderful gift it has given me.

I will probably overload you all with pictures from New England so you can meet people who have dedicated over 10 years to this journey. There is so much love, perseverance and determination in the Charity Treks group - and in the end, those are the key ingredients for ending AIDS.

Cranking up for a glorious final 3 weeks of adventures - love and tailwinds to each of you!

AIDS LifeCycle - We made It!

For all of my awesome supporters, here's what you invested in. Thank you for making a difference. With all of the recent publicity about charities not really supporting their mission, I'm proud to have invested a week of life to help others have life (Yes, I've reviewed the Form 990s of both beneficiaries!!). The awareness factor raised by the 2200 riders and 500+ volunteers also makes the world better for everyone. These 2200 riders go back to 48 different states and 18 countries a little different than when they arrived in California to start the ride. This ride changed my life last year as I just don't see the world quite the same anymore. I not only learned about my own body, mind and limits - I learned about the power of community and caring, which has no limits other than what we insert. Your funds and your interest matter. Thank you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg3G9-a1kH8

Day 7 - AIDS LifeCycle - The Final Day

So the week long love bubble is over now and I sit in the airport waiting for my red-eye Delta flight back to Atlanta. I know I get more out of these weeks than I could possibly give so its always a little bittersweet when it is over. The first mirror I really got to look into at length showed me the toll of the week. I leave with an angry shoulder, body and a cold but these are balanced by knowing our 2200 riders are going to buy some days of life for others while the research for a cure continues. That feels good.

I honestly could not have made it without the support and encouragement that you have given me this week as well as the cheers of strangers along the route. This ride is tough and I question if it is do-able alone.

I really am not a skilled cyclist when compared to many of the other riders. I simply have a passion to cycle and a desire to let others know they are not alone. This week, you have done that for me by following, liking, and commenting on my posts. Other people held up posters, sat in their wheel-chairs in their driveway and cheered, rang cowbells or even sat near an intersection and punched the 'walker' button so more of us could get through an intersection. Some people wore crazy outfits, some sent cards, some laid plastic eggs along the side of the Quadbuster path and others simply said "way to go" as they tended to their everyday life.

In one of the stage presentations this week it was said that: Everyone needs something to believe in, someone to believe in and someone to believe in them.

How true. I think that pretty much sums up this week. Thank you so much for getting this bruised, fluffy and exhausted me to the finish line. You may not know how important you were this week -but I sure do!

 

Day 6 - AIDS LifeCycle

Lots of miles and smiles along the way as we crossed 84 miles and are closing in on LA.

 Paradise Pit - the city of Santa Barbara throws us an ice cream party. Wow, was that good fudge and peanut butter ice cream!!

 

 

Our last day of hunting for gear at camp!

 

The candlelight vigil is always so inspiring. Todd and I sat together. Since he was a witness, he will confirm that I should never serve as an acolyte in church but I'll leave that to your imagination!

 

 

 

Day 5 - AIDS LifeCycle - Red Dress Day

 Entry 1

Today will be fun and this day is for all of you following this journey. I hope you are wearing red today or will tomorrow to show your support for this cause. If you do, post your pics as well! I imagine the outfits you see me post will be quite different than back home!

I woke up this morning sore and tired and realizing there's no way I could do this without your support and if this was just a vacation bike ride. It is the purpose that drives me as the other 51 weeks of the year I consider camping what I do at the Hampton Inn!

Wherever you are today, I hope something will make you laugh until you cry. I'll send pictures to help in that effort!

Happy Red Dress Day!

 Entry 2

What a day! The route was short at about 40 miles but was packed with challenges from climbing and cool temps. Had more time in camp to nurse my aching shoulder as I think ice cures just about everything and I only need 2 more days of work from it. But I welcome your prayers for it as well!

There were some creative outfits today ranging in the amount of cloth required. The neat thing is that everyone seems to feel safe to be as crazy and fun as they desire. Even if I would never, ever wear some of the outfits, I'm glad that others felt they could!

It 's almost ironic about the number of religion vs spirituality discussions you can hear while simply sitting in the cell phone recharge tent. Over and over, I hear people say "yes, I was Christian until their judgmental attitudes became more than I could take anymore."  That makes me sad but I get it and see it all the time.

Then I think of the children who sat on steps, in the backs of trucks, in boats, etc cheering for us. The AIDS rides I do and that you support are working for a world in which there is no AIDS. Hopefully, the children will create less judgment and heal the world in that way. We may not see either in our lifetimes - but if we don't act now, the momentum will be lost and it definitely won't happen in the future.

So today's ride was for all of you - because you all do act. You do make a difference through your support and so you are creating hope. Thank you.

Take care and wear your red!