REFLECTIONS

I've been home now for three days. My friends and co-workers ask me about my trip, some comment that we must have been crazy, some stated that there is no way that they could accomplish what we did. Well... sometimes I wonder how we did it and then it comes to me. We started as a group of individuals that some knew each other and others were complete strangers with one goal in mind, to bring awareness to the public about Special Olympics, that much we had in common. Once we started our trip, and survived the Dalton Highway, something started to happen. The group of strangers started to get closer, we started to look after each other like brothers and sister do. If someone was late checking inn, we would all start to worry. By the time we got to Memphis it was obvious that we had change and that we had definitely become a family. Chuck, Carl and I came home for the 4th of July while the rest of the group went to Atlanta. While working on my bike I felt like I was missing something and all of the sudden I realized that it was the group that I have been attached for the last two weeks. It was a good feeling. When we arrived in Key West on Saturday, we knew that we've finished our adventure and although we were happy to be in Key West, I sensed a hint of sadness among several of the riders. my guess was that we all knew that the trip was over and that come Sunday morning several of us will be heading out with out knowing when we would see each other again. Later on that evening during the Awards Banquet, my guess from earlier that day came true. Between the joking, story telling and celebrating I saw grown man and women saying goodbye to each other, hugging and with tears in their eyes. We've accomplished what we set out to do, but somewhere between Alaska and Key West a new family had started and I was proud to say that I'm part of it. This has truly been the adventure of a life time. Thanks to my new Brothers and Sister.