Lovely - are we officially living in a police state now? People, I am getting exceedingly concerned about the powers the police forces in this country have. Maybe I am alarmed for nothing but just as when I am riding, I like to listen to the little spidery senses that tickle my neck at the hair line...this is one of those times.
Another Alberta rider has died, this time in a head on collision on Anarchist Mountain near Osoyoos. Apparently he crossed the centre line and hit a van.
My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. The RCMP have determined that excessive speed was the major contributing cause in the death of a rider in the Lethbridge region.
Again, my heart breaks for the loved ones left behind.
There are other things in the news today but to be honest, I don't have much heart for any of it.
I am dealing with some news of my own right now that has shaken me a bit. OK, it's shaken me to my very core.
I have a brother that I have been estranged from for about 9 years. He and I used to be pretty close...
My brother had a really hard time believing that our father had molested me and so we agreed to disagree and stay away from each other. It was a hard time for both of us, and while his rejection of my truth hurt deeply, I accepted that he needed to figure it out on his own. Well, that day may never come for us as my brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer two days ago and given between 3 months and a year to live, however, as in all things Cancer, his time may be far shorter and he has asked to see me. I am rearranging my schedule so that I can go to see him.
The family dynamics being what they are has made this news tougher to take. I love my brother, I don't always agree with him and I don't always like him but he is my brother and I know he feels the same way about me, may not like or understand stuff but he loves me. I feel cheated that we have missed out on 9 years. That I never got to see my nephew graduate last week and that my brother and I never got to do the things that brothers and sisters should do. I am angry at my dad for never making things "right" before he died and I am deeply, profoundly sad right now.
So as I get ready to head out for the Cancer Run in Fort Saskatchewan and then to the New Castle Pub for the Little Warriors Poker Run I am going to honour my brothers wish and ask you all - if you smoke, if you love a smoker PLEASE, encourage them to quit. (Ironic isn't it - I am going to a cancer event - and a sexual abuse run - profound and poetic...)
I am asking you all for your prayers that my brother makes peace with his choices and that I find the strength I am going to need to deal with the pain I am feeling, God help me because I am so angry and filled with so much pain and deep, deep sadness right now...
I love you all - even when we don't agree or see eye to eye and now more than ever it is important to me that I tell you that.You - the riding community are my family in so many ways..
Belt Drive Betty
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My prayers to you! Stay strong! "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." Khalil Gibran
ReplyDeleteI TO HAVE A YOUNGER SIS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 4 CANCER.CERVICAL WITH METS TO URETERS AND A SPOT ON HER LUNG. RAPID WT LOSS DESPITE RADIATION AND CHEMO THOUGH ALREADY INFORMED COMFORT IS MOST THAT CAN BE PROVIDED. WAS IN HOSP. FOR THREE WEEKS IN MAR. HOME NOW AND MUST BE TAKEN 100 MILES TO FRESNO 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR EITHER CHEMO OR RADIATION. SOMETIMES BOTH.DISFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR MANY YRS.CLOSE NOW FOR PAST TEN YRS.LOVE HER VERY MUCH AND WICH I COULD BE CLOSER. SHE HAS TOLD ME I WILL BE NEEDED CLOSER TO HER END. I AM A RN.SHE PLANS TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND DOES NOT TALK OF DX SINCE WAS INITALLY INFORMED.I PRAY FOR ALL OF THOSE EFFECTED BY THIS UGLY DISEASE.PLEASE KEEP MY SIS PAT IN YOUR YOUR PRAYERS AS WELL.LOVE EDIE
ReplyDeleteLori thank you for your inspirational words!
ReplyDeleteEdie, your sister along with you and your family are in my prayers and god bless everyone afflicted with a horrible disease.
I do pray for you with all my heart for you are one of the nicest persons I met in cyberspace. I am sorry to hear about all the problems you have had but you know what: God has a way of solving these and he will look after you.
ReplyDeleteGo placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
"Desiderata"
RE: RCMP officers in BC...They are rude, untrained and bullies...you don't want to mess with them. I have seen weird things at road blocks!