Living in God's Pocket with ABI
Nurturing Compassion and Stewardship
This is my side of the fence
Not mine to choose
It might look bleak for a time
But it’s my side, it’s my place.
Patience and perseverance, slowly regaining a foothold
The bloom will reappear
The contrast can’t be missed
A splash of sunshine, lifting one’s spirit
Not meant to feed or graze
Just enjoy and gaze
Making it greener on my side
As my roots feed deeply.
This is a cycling tour.
No time trials to qualify
No carbon fibre needed
This is not a race.
This is a cycling tour.
Prudent to train ahead of time
No risk of being disqualified
This is not a race.
This is a cycling tour.
Giving fellow rider support
With flats or worse
This is not a race.
This is a cycling tour.
Time for a photo op
Pausing for a leisurely break
This is not a race.
This is a cycling tour.
Compassion for the poor
With tangible results
This is not a race.
This is a cycling tour.
The fastest cyclists
take bragging rights
The strongest cyclists
get the best SAG treats
The fittest cyclists
get the best campsites.
The strongest cyclists
whiz by the others
Those with the ultra-light bikes
Oh wait, who said, “This is not a race?”
Cycling across Canada
Rough roads and smooth
Ghost cyclist guiding me through.
Cycling up the Rocky Mountains
Reaching greater heights in Rogers Pass
Ghost cyclist urging me up and over.
Cycling across the vast prairies
Crosswinds tossing me side to side
Ghost cyclist steadily leaning into the wind.
Cycling into a strong headwind
Pedaling hard looking to draft
Ghost cyclist pushing me forward.
Cycling through hamlets and towns
Heavy traffic and quiet roads
Ghost cyclist right with me.
Cycling in the drizzle and rain
Looking to stay dry and warm
Ghost cyclist has me covered.
Cycling day after day moving east
Loving the thrill of the tailwind
Ghost cyclist moving with me.
Cycling in the sun and heat
Longing for shade and relief
Ghost cyclist provides the block.
Cycling from Pacific to Atlantic
Great ride, greater cause
Ghost cyclist got my back.
Cycling to end poverty
Sharing a spirit of generosity
Ghost cyclist helping reach our goal.
———- ———-
Credits:
Tandem – Brenna & Missy
Pictured – Russ & myself
Location – on the road
Traditional and unceded territories
Being the long term stewards
First Nations people who lived here
Never claiming ownership
Traditional and unceded territories
Their own land but not owned
Their own land but not claimed
Welcoming migrants to share the land
Traditional and unceded territories
Assisting struggling migrants
Hospitality from the heart
Gradually betrayed
Traditional and unceded territories
Their land usurped by migrants
No reservation about stripping the resources
Making reservations for aboriginals
Traditional and unceded territories
Second class citizens, barely a voice
Object of a legislated apology
Subject to government decisions
An aboriginal blessing bestowed on us
As we prepared to cycle through varied landscapes
Valleys, Rivers, Meadows, Ravines, Peaks
A prayer for each person
Each day we honour the nation
Whose land we cycle through
Remembering the history of
Traditional and unceded territories.
When will we return the blessing
How should we return the blessing
An apology can be postured
While a blessing issues from the heart.
You extended an olive branch,
it brought a ray of hope
alas a short-lived ray of hope.
Your actions did not change
Ignoring reminders and requests
And a leaf withered
You refuse hear me out
Trying to hide the picture that emerges
And a leaf withered
You raise your voice at me
refusing to recall recent concerns
And a leaf withered
You extend an olive branch – you say
I see a stick.
Conversing with a half dozen people is more wearing
Than biking 20 km in traffic
Participating in a worship service is more demanding
Than biking 30 km dodging rain showers
Walking into a store for a quick errand can be more frustrating
Than biking 40 km into a head wind
Listening to live music for half an hour requires more recuperation
Than biking 50 km through hilly country side
Driving for 4 hours will affect my balance more
Than biking for 60 km on a chilly day
Some activities have a way of causing neuro fatigue
While cycling rejuvenates the whole person
The physical exertion
The rhythmic movement
The outdoor ambience
Nature’s symphony;
The wind in the trees,
The call of the cardinal
The chirping of crickets
Sounds that respond to each other
Sounds that sidle up to you
Sounds that heal,
Sounds that sooth the senses
Sounds that lift one’s spirits
Being neurologically atypical, things don’t add up in a way that makes sense to others. While I am able to do certain activities with ease and experience satisfaction, there are plenty of activities that leave me challenged.
Displaced Trust
A child in turmoil,
Undermined – then supported
A confusion of emotions,
looking for approval – pulling away
A confusion of intent,
wanting support – refusing help
A confusion of direction,
preparing to release – holding tight
Struggling to find grounding.
A parent with regret,
Undermining – then supporting
A misalignment of emotions,
giving approval – then withholding
A confusion of intent,
denying support – offering help
confusion of direction,
reluctant to release – abandoning
Struggling for grounding.
