AV200 - A Day for Gray

Today was for Gray. It's hard for me to describe what I feel when I dedicate a day to someone, so I'll just simplify it to the nth degree and say it is overwhelmingly special.

We had an interesting start to our day as we were late getting started and fell behind all of the SAG vehicles that leave last. We got caught by every single red light getting off of Emory's campus and then we got stopped by a train that went on and on and on. The idea of being the ride's caboose was sealed within the first 15 minutes!

It was supposed to rain on us today but the conditions were actually perfect and not a drop feel on us. Someone told me years ago that friends in heaven get to paint the daily sunsets and you'll always know if one of your loved ones was involved. You'll see their colors or their style. With a 60% chance of rain and not a drop, I can't help but wonder if Gray was up there saying "Hey, not on my day!" So, thank you, Gray!

The route was great this year and we saw lots of Georgia countryside beauty. I was thankful for cycling buddies Stephen Frangis, Cindy Tanner and Felicia Bianchi as we kept each other company for various parts of the route. Stephen and I rode the full 100 miles together and I appreciate him more than I can describe. In the end, the official caboose was escorted in by our team mate Chip and that was perfect. He played some good 'ole rock and roll to keep us pedaling for the last 10 miles or so.

We started out around 7:45 and arrived at Rock Eagle at about 5:15 - so it was a full day. Lots of time to reflect, to pray and to think. On the route we saw a lone Canadian goose with a broken wing which made me sad. I've never prayed for a Canadian goose before today! There was a group of cows who stared at us pedal by with a look that told us we were weird looking cows. I thought mostly about Gray and the stories his friends shared with me. At the end of the evening, a close friend of Gray's came up to me to introduce himself and thank me for dedicating today to Gray. I told him that Gray got me to the finish line as I was ready to throw in the towel on 3 different times. He told me more about Gray and I was so reminded about how little things matter so much and we really should "sweat the small stuff." He was loved for his sweet spirit, his love of sharing good meals with friends, his ability to organize a tupperware cabinet (a huge talent in my book!), and all those little things. His friend then made a profound statement - "There's no telling what Gray could have done." Once again, we were robbed of by AIDS. But today - I was not robbed. I was inspired to pay more attention to those little things that matter - except for perhaps the tupperware talent because I'm hopeless in that category!

Thank you, Gray. I honestly don't know what else to say as it is obvious that no other words would adequately describe the positive ripple effect of your life on us.

Yes, today was for Gray. To his friends, I hope you will raise a glass and celebrate him in whatever way he deserves in your life.