Wednesday, July 30, 2025
One fact that I'm always relearning,
With "doing,” each time it's confirming.
Help given to you,
Has two sides, it's true.
Trust—what you receive is returning.
Do you remember to ask?
Looking back, thinking back.
2016 ride MN -> WY
To my 60th high school reunion in Cheyenne WY.
Bob and I knew the "drill" from
Ten years prior, to 50th H.S. reunion.
Bob, car driver, in role of experience,
Skilled at being SAG person.
(That's Support And Gear.)
I, bicyclist riding the miles.
On Day 4 our overnight was
Hawarden, MN.
Just-right destination, ending 53-mile ride.
Motel room available,
Sufficient biking for that day,
Day had been very hot, extremely sunny.
Two areas of my unprotected skin had Fried.
Back of neck, obvious.
Top of wrists, gap between
End of long sleeve and top of bike-glove.
First stop—gas station,
Often good source for info and directions.
Where to find a bandana and wrist covers?
Helpful guy, Joe, tells us, "Nothing is open.
Might try Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store.
All kinds of items, all kinds of shop hours."
Knocking on locked door of
Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store,
Two stout women appeared.
One opened, backed by the other,
In case we were dangerous.
Obviously not from there.
"Oh, no dear. You can't come in. We are closed."
Explaining need for something for next day's ride,
Showing my burnt wrists,
Now covered with sunburn blisters,
Door defenders let us in.
Immediately shifting into their
Creative thinking mode,
Two door-defenders scour the shop for solutions.
No bandanas.
White dish towel cut into triangle.
Eureka ....neck-protecting scarf.
Pair of socks
Toe-end cut off,
Hole for thumb cut in ribbing ...
Voila! Sun protection for wrists.
Two beaming keepers of
Donated-items-for-any-use.
Two strangers passing through,
Needing help.
Receiving the help with its
Creativity and authentic good-will.
This story, sharp in memory,
Showed me the satisfaction of the "helper,”
As well as my gratitude for the help.
I hadn't fully taken in that
"Ask for Help"
Has the other side of
The helper being delighted,
Having given that gift.
I have to relearn this so often.
When I'm afraid to ask—
Might inconvenience someone,
Might be "out-of-line.”
When I ask—
Either yes, or no
Is a good answer.
Remembering
That the giving of help
Can be very satisfying.
Be brave.
Ask for help.
Know that it has two
Positive sides.
Hugs,
Lin
Happy time ... visit from son. Lots of laughing.
Current trail ends in Dundas. Check flag for wind.
Want to see the photos from the actual ride day in June of 2016? Click here.
