WHAT WOULD YODA DO? Just a quick update.
As you probably recall from my earlier
missive, following a run of bad luck a few weeks ago I had to drop out of the Pan-Mass Challenge (the long bike ride to support cancer research) about 3/4ths of the way through the ride due to a knee injury.
I followed the advice of my physician and consumed copious amounts of ibuprofen, applied ice frequently, and, hardest of all, I rested. I also followed the advice of my friend and frequent commenter Jim Bell and took steps to improve my luck. I rubbed the belly of the Buddha that sits outside my Cape house. I sought four-leaf clovers. I eschewed black cats and ladders.
Then, yesterday, I had my wife Amy drive me back to where I got injured and I finished riding the final 52 miles to Provincetown. Amy and my sons Aidan (11) and Liam (9) rode the final mile with me! It felt really good to finish (at long last).
Last night Amy and I went out to celebrate at what had been my father’s favorite restaurant, a wonderful Italian restaurant in Provincetown called Front Street. My parents had been regulars there for many years. As we arrived, Amy piped up to the hostess “we’re here to celebrate Bob finishing the Pan-Mass Challenge, which he rode in honor of his father David Elwood.” The hostess smiled in recognition and told us a few stories about how much she had enjoyed the company of my parents. Amy ordered a bottle of Champagne, which tasted oh so good. It was a truly remarkable meal.
It had been dusk when we entered the dark restaurant. During dinner the sun had set. As we walked out my eyes adjusted to the night sky. Then, this being Provincetown and this being Carnival week here, a well built guy walked past us wearing a lime green g-string, matching high heels, and nothing else. He winked. Life is good.
Thanks to your extraordinary generosity, I have raised $6,000 for the PMC, but I am still just shy of my goal. Please click here to make a contribution (this website looks best if you use Internet Explorer; also, please add a note to my guestbook there.) I believe Matt's kind offer to match contributions by "Thing Throwers" is not quite fully subscribed yet.
