|
Meet
Jack
A
new family member
Someone new touched my heart today
I
was walking down the office hall for a late-morning
snack when Jack stopped me.
"Are
you going to be participating in a non-profit event?"
he inquired.
"Yes"
I replied and proceeded to tell him about my ride in
the Pan Mass Challenge.
Jack
told me about how he saw a TV special on NECN last night
regarding the PMC, so he wanted to make sure that I was
aware of the generosity of the people in this office. He
told me to make sure that I let the people in our rec
committee know about this and to also submit to our
corporate office. I said thanks and told him I would
follow up with the committee and that I had already sent
my request to corporate.
We
discussed the PMC and its history a little more, along
with our connection to other non-profit, worthy causes.
While
telling him about my preparation for fundraising and
riding I then told him how during hard, leg burning training
rides I reflect upon those family members, friends and
others who have had to deal with cancer and how the ride
becomes a little easier. Jack interrupted me and said,
"I am one of those. I am a cancer survivor.
Colon cancer."
I was speechless for a moment, then I
looked directly into his misty eyes and said, "You
are now one of the people I ride for." I could see
through my beginning-to-water eyes that we became
connected at that very moment. Within a matter of
seconds our spirits were linked. We went from being co-workers
to being "family" members. We were now part of
the family of those who suffer, or have suffered, and
those who care. This was a special moment for me.
|