Lessons from a bike ride

This past weekend I participated in a charity bike ride for Love146. Let’s just say that it’s been a VERY long time since I’ve ridden any significant distance on a bike. When I was in my 20’s I used to ride with friends on bike tours through the green mountains in Vermont. But this weekend I was reminded that I’m not in my 20’s anymore. Not even close. After the first few long hills I thought I might end up being the object of charity.

At one point while climbing a hill, I not only heard my heart pounding and my breathing turn to panting, but I kept hearing the last words of my wife from when I walked out the door… “Don’t kill yourself on this ride Rob. You’re not in your 20’s anymore and I’m not going with you to Vietnam if you’re in traction.

I quickly realized that if you don’t pace yourself and think you can sprint the whole way you may not have what it takes to finish. Unless you’re like my friend Matthew (Terra Nova Matthew) who has legs like pistons, a bike like the Batmobile, and did 75 miles in about the time it took most people to do 30.

My inspiration turned out to be my friend and co-worker Kathy, who rode a beach cruiser bicycle, fully equipped with dual rear baskets and a bell on the handlebar. Not exactly the kind of bike you want to ride for any distance. But she paced herself the whole way and finished in style. Not only with a smile on her face and hardly a drop of sweat, but also arriving at the finish line on a very cool bike. She just kept going like the Energizer bunny. Didn’t finish first, but finished well.

All this to say…I also realized that I haven’t paced myself very well in our pursuit of our daughter Honour. I feel like we have been sprinting for two years, and honestly… I am exhausted.

I have always felt a little sorry for those dogs at the dog races that are running around the track chasing after the fake rabbit in a futile attempt to catch it. This adoption process has felt a little like that at times. It seems like just when we begin to see the finish line; it either moves further away or disappears entirely. We feel what author Robert Benson describes as “lost between the dreaming and the coming true”.

So I learned something this weekend. It’s about endurance. It’s about never giving up. This journey to our daughter is not about chasing a rabbit or climbing a mountain or crossing a finish line; (Although she is a really cute finish line). This is about a little girl named Honour. This is about family. This is about a place called home. We’re coming for you princess.

-Rob