It’s Monday, July 26.
A day that seemed so far in the future the first time I hopped on my bike and attempted riding it down Fair Street in downtown Franklin.
A day I thought would never come, and at the same time, once the trip started, a day that I knew would come too soon.
Most of the team has headed out – some by air, some with friends or cars or our support van…
One by one we hug the departing teammate, our circle of remaining cyclists shrinking smaller and smaller.
I’m about to get into my own rental car – I’ll be in Myrtle Beach an extra day and flying to Canada, of all places, tomorrow – thrown back into the real world and real life and real work faster than one can say “Eh?” – and then meeting back up in Minneapolis on Thursday to begin the drive back to Nashville.
Last night we sat in a circle and attempted to process this insanely lovely trip in an hour.
As impossible as it sounds, we finished early; nobody had many words to say.
We’re left in a state of wonder about what just happened…a paradoxical time warp of two months that have flown by in slow motion.
It seems surreal, but tan lines and broken hearts as we say farewell to each other prove to us this indeed was a very real, very powerful story that has taken hold of each of us in unique ways.
For now, I’ll leave you with a few pictures from the trip…I’m sure as time and space continue to hold me as I walk through the upcoming weeks in reflection, more layers of this adventure will be exposed.
Comments
24 responses to “Welp (Big Gulps)…”
Feeling for you. I know how it is to say goodbye to friends, to a chapter of your story, knowing that you are returning home a different person than you left. Reading your post brought back the memories of tearful goodbyes after some of my mountaintop experiences of yesteryear. And the inevitable choruses of Michael W. Smith’s “Pray for Me” and “Friends are Friends Forever.”
Looking forward to having you back so we can catch up!
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Growing Pains =-.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Look forward to catching up once you’re back in Nashville.
.-= Guy Chmieleski´s last blog ..A Lunch of Opportunity =-.
Well said. It will take a while for all of us to unpack our memories, experiences and growth from this trip. I miss all of you already.
-Karl
Congrats on completing your adventure anne. I know well how those long days and short nights mold a group together until sometimes only tears seem appropriate. You will have made friends for a lifetime, some you may never see again here on earth. But you will always carry that special warm place in your heart. I am so proud of what you accomplished in spite of the adversity. Hoping to hear more of the trip, complete mileage, etc. See you on DailyMile.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..unParalyzed =-.
HUGe congratulations, Anne. I love that last picture and the caption.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I’m sure this is just the beginning for processing the thousands of memories you just created. All of them, like your experiences on other trips are working their way into the fabric of who you are and who you are becomming. I’m sure there will be some culture shock being thrown back into the other part of your life, right when the new book is ready to release. I love your life and your story. What an amazing experience for you guys to share together. My prayers are with you as you transition. Thanks for taking us along with you on the ride, and your life journey in general.
So cool that you did this in life. Such a great cause.
.-= Carole Turner´s last blog ..Childhood Sexual Abuse =-.
i couldn’t be more proud of you for what was accomplished this summer. praying for you in the weeks to come as your process the whirlwind you’ve just experienced. love you muchly.
Congratulations Anne! What an amazing experience. Thank you for letting us follow along. It really is quite inspiring!
.-= Karen Barnes´s last blog ..First Day of Construction in Haiti =-.
Welcome Home???? That doesn’t seem right.
How about just congrats.
Thanks for sharing your journey.
.-= Kyle Reed´s last blog ..Having No Expectations is a Great Start =-.
Wow wow wow. Congrats on the journey! I can’t believe it either!
Shawn and I were talking about the emotional aspects of finishing the ride. From pure exhaustion to leaving new friends.
Congrats on the journey both physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
It was great meeting you too.
.-= Prudence´s last blog ..I Hear Dead Men- On Standing Up =-.
You’re awesome!
No, really, you are :)
.-= Phil Thompson´s last blog ..I Hate Being Normal =-.
I followed your journey on Twitter and, as a result, have found inspiration to try and live BIG myself, like you and your Team did the last two months (and all the months of prep before that). Thanks for your openness and honesty along the way!
.-= Katie Ellwood´s last blog ..Just One Day =-.
What a tremendous group!! Thank you Anne for sharing these pics. Wow!!!! Sooo glad you took the amazingly incredible bike trip and sooo glad you are home!
.-= Carol´s last blog ..Pumped!!!!!! =-.
What an amazing reminder for us all of the need to ‘do hard things’. Thanks for being willing to boldly stand (err..ride) against injustice!!!
Congrats, Anne! Followed on twitter and here a bit through the journey. Reminded me to take risks.
Reminded me that hard things are worth it when they’re things of God.
Thankful today for everyone’s safety, too…
.-= Josh´s last blog ..Want to Truly Worship Know This First =-.
well done good and faithful servant.
.-= Cara Gabrielse´s last blog ..Publicize- Facebook — Images =-.
Yea, Yippee and way to go! So proud of you and your entire team. Loved meeting some of them at the BBQ. I can’t imagine how much you’ll miss your new bike fam…until the next ride :)
Now, get home soon and safe. Love your heart to heal the sick no matter what it takes pedals and all….
PS The pics are priceless!
.-= Eve Annunziato´s last blog ..WOMEN AGAINST WOMEN – WHY =-.
What’s in Canada? You usually don’t leave us guessing. If we missed a media appearance up here today we’ll be ticked!
Congrats on the tour and all you accomplished.
.-= Paul Wilkinson (Thinking Out Loud)´s last blog ..28-28-28 – Remembering Keith Green =-.
I am so glad you got to do that. I am proud of you for accomplishing it. and now you are going to my country, which i am sure you will enjoy! oh, and PS – i got a bike. :)
.-= Lynse Leanne´s last blog ..I am a quitter =-.
… powerful pictures … life-changing relationships … lessons learned … a pivotal time in your life and ministry … thanks for sharing the journey with us.
.-= Linda Stoll´s last blog ..Inside Out =-.
Well done Anne and r:w team. It was a highlight of my summer to share a few miles and smiles and oatmeal creme pies with you guys.
Wear those tan lines proudly. Desert tan lines mark only the most road worthy cyclists. Hope yours fade slowly.
Thank you for chronicling the accomplishments and disappointments of these past two months in words and pictures.
Hope your PTSF tour comes to our area.