Rotary Sponsored WaCanId Bicycle Ride - Unplanned Start

Rotary Sponsored WaCanId Bicycle Ride - Unplanned Start

The International Selkirk Loop WaCanId Bicycle Ride successfully departed Sandpoint Idaho at City Beach and Trinity's, at 8AM,  on September 12, 2016.  The start did take an unexpected turn however.

I was participating in the WaCanId ride this year as well as having been on the planning committee.  I was a bit apprehensive of the first days ride knowing it was longer in mileage than I had ridden before along with a climb longer and steeper than I had yet to be on.  While that post will follow it is important to this post in that I had entertained leaving 1/2 hour earlier than the group in order to not be a burden to the tail SAG unit.

It was immediately obvious I was not going to leave early.  Baggage, last minute bike maintenance, coordinating, and all that goes on before a big event was not going to allow my early departure.  I retrieved my camera from International Selkirk Loop director Stephanie Simms, much to her relief, for the group picture under the City Beach Sign.  

With police escort and lead SAG in place on the City Bridge the riders were gathered for the above picture.  Unfortunately a rider in the rear of the group was unable to unclip, from their pedal, in time and in falling tried to catch themselves.  That resulted in what turned out to be a broken wrist.  

I could see organization starting to go by the wayside.  I told the Lead SAG vehicle to go ahead and get the ride started.  I confirmed with the police escort that an ambulance had been dispatched.  Also letting him know it would be best if we get the rest of the riders on the road.  Some of the riders seemed hesitant in leaving and I assured them I would stay to be sure everyone was taken care of.  

The injured lady was the mother with her daughter doing the ride as well. The daughter was understandably upset.  The mother was on the curb of the sidewalk and in pain.  I let the daughter know I would not be leaving till her mother, and herself were taken care of.  I will explain in a moment what the daughter, did at that point, that will remain with me the rest of my life.  

Being but a short distance from Bonner General Hospital the ambulance arrived while we were talking.  Knowing the Mother would be well taken care of I emphasized to the daughter to remain with her Mom and that I would get their bikes and luggage taken care of no matter the need after her Mom's trip to the hospital.  

I got to our luggage van in time and was able to get their luggage pulled out with Stephanie now aware of what was going on.  I coordinated, with tail SAG, to get both bikes on their rack so Mother and/or daughter could connect after hospital.  I then was able to get back to the daughter and let her know all was in place for to concentrate on her Mother and not worry about anything else.  

What does this have to do with Real Estate?  A lot, but honestly more about life overall, in my opinion.  

My plans for leaving early were given up for the better of many.  That then turned more important with it becoming focused on a Mother and Daughter with anxious moments.  I not special for having done anything nor trying to say I was.  I was the one in a specific spot at a specific moment.  Anyone would have been doing the same.  But the point is someone needed to do it for the better of two people very much in need.  

I will digress a moment to when my Mom passed and hospice was attending. Towards the end and a very bad morning I called the lady, hospice, who had been seeing Mom over the course of the previous months.  Mom was distraught and confused with even me there.  As the Hospice lady walked in I saw in Mom's eyes and whole body language a look of relief and trust that had not even been present with me there.  It was a look that I will never forget and doubt that anyone who has ever seen it would be able forget or recognize it.  

As I was reassuring the Daughter to stay with her Mom, that I would insure everything else was OK, she asked me "Are you a Rotarian?"  When I answered 'yes' I saw the relief in her I had witnessed in my Mom.  I saw a change in her whole body language.  I saw her go to her Mom with a sense of new focus,  satisfied in her mind all was being taken care of.   

I understand any of the Rotarian's having been there, answering the same question, would have been blessed with the same look.  I also know that because I put my personal wants and desires aside for the better of others, I was the blessed with a highlight of this 6 day trip before even getting on my bike for the first few feet of a 371 mile bike ride.  

Rotary - 'Service above Self' 

Do we not often hear that our greatest rewards, not only in Real Estate, but in our personal lives, will come from giving to those around us?  And giving with no expectations of anything in return.  I have been rewarded with something that will be with me the rest of my life in return for but an hour or so of my time.  Very very grateful I am.  

Experience the change of pace Living In North Idaho will make.  Contact me as your local North Idaho Real Estate Resource. 

And on a good note for the Mother and Daughter.  She did break her wrist but with no serious damage beyond needing the break to heal.  While appreciative, they declined having the Mother ride with the SAG vehicle while the daughter rode the WaCanId.  They had wanted this ride to Mother / Daughter time.  While unable to ride the doctor said she would be fine to hike.  So they spent the week in Glacier Park hiking and spending their time together there.