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August 7, 2005 | Show All
Busy week- part two
Starting Thursday, July 14th at about 9:30am with a cup of coffee and some breakfast was great for me. However, Steven’s arms had been extremely tired and fatigued from the prior day, but he’s a trooper! I met Ty down in the lobby while Steven finished getting ready and we met a few people that were riding in the Trek. One man named Jim was amazingly physically fit with an incredible spirit! A few minutes later Steven joined Ty and me so we headed for Downtown Boston via the “T” (train station) which was 200 yards from the hotel. The train ride took about 45 minutes and it was great people watching. Coming out of the train station we got a transfer ticket just in case we wanted to ride the bus anywhere. Ty and my ticket said 12:44pm (see Steven’s 40th birthday post) we all looked at each other and said thanks angels, Steven wasn’t worried he didn’t get that time, he always knows angels are with him.
After several hours of taking in the sights of Boston, Ty and I were following Steven (I know…funny… who’s the one with ALS?) lollygagging and Steven went across a busy intersection. I was next to cross and just stepped out in the street and thanks to Ty who grabbed me a car just missed hitting me. Thank God for Ty being there and I know I had other angels watching out for me. After our hearts stopped pounding and returned to normal we headed off to see a few more sights. Just before lunch we got the call from Jodee Morin (Todd’s wife) that Todd made it in to Boston. I called Todd on the cell and welcomed him to Boston. We had another great day the only downside was that Steven’s shoulders are getting so weak that just walking around fatigue and tire his shoulders to the point of complete exhaustion. So we all headed for the hotel and Steven took a rest.
Ty and I set out for the bar. While there we talked with Jim, the rider from earlier that day. Another couple not associated with the Trek was sitting at the bar, as well. The woman of the couple was talking with Ty and told him that her mother or father (sorry I can’t remember which one) died from ALS not long ago. When they say this disease is rare, don’t believe it!!!
So I headed up to the room to wake up Steven and get ready for speaking that night to the Tri-State Trek group which included riders, volunteers, sponsors, and people from ALSTDF. We knew from the previous year that there would be many people there directly affected by ALS and others that were there for the bike ride and a good cause. Hopefully our speech was uplifting, informative, motivating and…? After the dinner was finished we spoke with a great group of folks from ‘America at Home’. Ty surprised everyone with a bottle of champagne he bought a few days earlier from a local wine merchant, who’s father died from ALS, again, it is a rare disease, right???? The ten of us toasted to a safe ride and to all PALS and CALS that could not be there. Emotions ran high, it was so amazing to have both Ty and Todd there supporting us.
The next morning I promised Ty that I would meet him at 5am (EST) for the breakfast then would wake Steven and we would set all the riders off with a moving speech. So I followed through on the breakfast part and Steven did the well wishing to the crowd. It was amazing to see all those riders riding for a cure for my husband….
Many pictures were taken by us and all the riders so please check out our photo album to see event pictures!
The plane ride home was extremely difficult for me, my heart was back at the ride and I felt like I abandoned Team Bishop. I should be there for Ty and Todd and frankly all the other riders. I huge pit was in my stomach and I couldn’t do anything about it.
I had to change gears and get excited for my 20 year high school reunion. I wanted to get excited. Sheer exhaustion set in around 4:30pm. You see we arrived at 1:26pm from Boston, then was picked up by a wonderful friend and whisked away to home, only to have 15 minutes until I had to meet my sister-in-law up in the mountains to pick up Christopher. On the way I called one of my best friends and all the sudden started crying. At that point I didn’t even know why I was crying but realized what amazing friends I have as she was there for me.
I picked up Christopher and it was so wonderful to see him. I hugged and kissed him all over. Then on the way home I held his hand in mine from the driver’s seat and him directly behind me. I really missed him! We only had about an hour together until Steven’s mom came to pick up Christopher. Thank God she did that, it really helped us out. That was about 4:30pm when I had to take a nap for about an hour then get up to shower and get ready for my reunion.
The reunion planning started back in December, which I headed up and what an incredible committee was assembled. I remember the first few meetings, there were people that I knew their names but didn’t really know them. So out of this process of planning the reunion I have gained more friends and rekindled old friendships. Thanks to all of you! The reunion exceeded all my expectations with a great turnout and many new memories formed!
After several hours of taking in the sights of Boston, Ty and I were following Steven (I know…funny… who’s the one with ALS?) lollygagging and Steven went across a busy intersection. I was next to cross and just stepped out in the street and thanks to Ty who grabbed me a car just missed hitting me. Thank God for Ty being there and I know I had other angels watching out for me. After our hearts stopped pounding and returned to normal we headed off to see a few more sights. Just before lunch we got the call from Jodee Morin (Todd’s wife) that Todd made it in to Boston. I called Todd on the cell and welcomed him to Boston. We had another great day the only downside was that Steven’s shoulders are getting so weak that just walking around fatigue and tire his shoulders to the point of complete exhaustion. So we all headed for the hotel and Steven took a rest.
Ty and I set out for the bar. While there we talked with Jim, the rider from earlier that day. Another couple not associated with the Trek was sitting at the bar, as well. The woman of the couple was talking with Ty and told him that her mother or father (sorry I can’t remember which one) died from ALS not long ago. When they say this disease is rare, don’t believe it!!!
So I headed up to the room to wake up Steven and get ready for speaking that night to the Tri-State Trek group which included riders, volunteers, sponsors, and people from ALSTDF. We knew from the previous year that there would be many people there directly affected by ALS and others that were there for the bike ride and a good cause. Hopefully our speech was uplifting, informative, motivating and…? After the dinner was finished we spoke with a great group of folks from ‘America at Home’. Ty surprised everyone with a bottle of champagne he bought a few days earlier from a local wine merchant, who’s father died from ALS, again, it is a rare disease, right???? The ten of us toasted to a safe ride and to all PALS and CALS that could not be there. Emotions ran high, it was so amazing to have both Ty and Todd there supporting us.
The next morning I promised Ty that I would meet him at 5am (EST) for the breakfast then would wake Steven and we would set all the riders off with a moving speech. So I followed through on the breakfast part and Steven did the well wishing to the crowd. It was amazing to see all those riders riding for a cure for my husband….
Many pictures were taken by us and all the riders so please check out our photo album to see event pictures!
The plane ride home was extremely difficult for me, my heart was back at the ride and I felt like I abandoned Team Bishop. I should be there for Ty and Todd and frankly all the other riders. I huge pit was in my stomach and I couldn’t do anything about it.
I had to change gears and get excited for my 20 year high school reunion. I wanted to get excited. Sheer exhaustion set in around 4:30pm. You see we arrived at 1:26pm from Boston, then was picked up by a wonderful friend and whisked away to home, only to have 15 minutes until I had to meet my sister-in-law up in the mountains to pick up Christopher. On the way I called one of my best friends and all the sudden started crying. At that point I didn’t even know why I was crying but realized what amazing friends I have as she was there for me.
I picked up Christopher and it was so wonderful to see him. I hugged and kissed him all over. Then on the way home I held his hand in mine from the driver’s seat and him directly behind me. I really missed him! We only had about an hour together until Steven’s mom came to pick up Christopher. Thank God she did that, it really helped us out. That was about 4:30pm when I had to take a nap for about an hour then get up to shower and get ready for my reunion.
The reunion planning started back in December, which I headed up and what an incredible committee was assembled. I remember the first few meetings, there were people that I knew their names but didn’t really know them. So out of this process of planning the reunion I have gained more friends and rekindled old friendships. Thanks to all of you! The reunion exceeded all my expectations with a great turnout and many new memories formed!
Posted At : 9:45 AM. |
Posted By : JENNIFER |
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