I am not a regular contributor to this blog, but as the one parent who cycled across the country with this amazing group of students, I thought it an appropriate time and place for me to share my sincerest thanks to all involved.
To the parents (aunts/uncles too) – I know just how much work it took to get these kids to the finish line. I loved getting to know those who drove support, and it goes without saying – we could not have done it without you. Maybe when these seven have kids of their own, and are asked if they will support their own child’s desire to cycle across the country, will they then truly appreciate your collective Herculean effort.
To those with the Ride2Recovery organization - you gave us true purpose. Without this particular mission, I don’t think we would have experienced the incredible outpouring of support along the route – particularly in the west and mid-west. Because of you, we received an invaluable education, and I will be forever grateful .
To the host families, churches, other fiends made along the way - your generosity and support of injured vets, and these students, was an inspiration to us all. Hopefully, our paths will cross again at some point in the future.
To the veterans who shared in this experience with us – specifically, Tyler Boudreau, Kenny Butler, Jaime Cruz, Jack Shepard and Mike McNaughton - I enjoyed getting to know you all. Tyler, a special thanks to you – the one who spent an entire week to support this group. You provided much needed conversation (and I was a little needy after 5 weeks with 7 teenagers), and more importantly, much clarity regarding our mission. You are an amazing group of people, and I hope we will remain in touch.
Last but certainly not least, to these seven remarkable students: I am so proud of you all, and hope your “take away” was as rich as my own. We learned much about group dynamics and communication - more than any college course will ever teach you. I know most of you were skeptical about me at first, but I’m hoping I exceeded expectations (which I think were pretty low). You all know by now that I assess people for a living, and if you guys are any indication of what is in the “future leader” pipeline, this country has nothing to worry about. I hope you will keep your promise to me – when my own kids refuse to have dinner with me during one of my trips through Concord, that you’ll happily come out for a meal with me instead! Thanks to you all for allowing me share in your incredible journey; it has changed my life. (Now that the trip is complete, does this mean you now will all be “de-friending” me on Facebook?) I love you all.
-- Anne Keyser
No comments:
Post a Comment