My World Takes A Hit

Life dealt me a blow, shook me up, just as I was recovering from the Chequamegon 40. I could not figure out what contributed to my poor performance more; The fact that I contracted a cold the night before the race; The fact that I had not ridden as much; Or the fact that the rain had slowed the course from last year. I had accepted the fact that I would probably not do as well, but an 11 minute slower time was hard to swallow, even without the sore throat. I know I will need to get on the bike again and discover riding for fun before the weather turns too cold and I turn to the trainer once again. These were the primary thoughts in my head, but that was before a phone call from my brother... Now, they seem trivial and childish.

Although not a religious man myself, my brother attended the gathering last Sunday and heard the name of one of my best friends called out in prayer. He called to tell me that it must be my buddy. A friend I rarely talk to because we rarely need to. We have lived similar lives since high school even though we are many miles apart. Our connection is mostly silent, but the thoughts are the same in nearly every situation. A true friend that you can enjoy silence and laughter with. I had lost touch with the man that stood in my wedding, and I in his, and now this disturbing rumor...

A simple phone call confirmed my fear. Cancer! You have to be f*#^ing kidding me! The mere word invokes thoughts of the worst, never the best... right? A few more calls and some more information. Okay, I think I have enough to know that my friend has probably gone through more thoughts than I can even fathom with more information than I have. The bottom line... Once his wife suggested that he would be happy to see me, it took 30 minutes to cash in miles and have a flight to Detroit booked. He doesn't even know I am coming. I hope to see a smile on his face...

Saturday is my wife and I's 11th Anniversary, a day he shared with us, and I will be knocking on his door to share that day with him again. Monday is his 38th birthday and the day he will have his Thyroid removed. My goal is to make him smile, catch up on life and take his mind off the upcoming surgery.

I've read a few books written by cancer survivors and they all say that you have to remain positive and be the type of person that is willing to fight. I am positive that he will overcome this because there is no other way of thinking that sounds logical to me. I am positive that this will change him, his family and friends forever. I am positive that he will always be one of my very best friends.

I love you Greg.