Shifting Gears

The last post was a bit sad, so I wanted to follow it with something a little lighter.  Also, you will see Ben making a rare appearance on the blog.

The boys went on a bike ride last weekend.  They paid tribute to Dan in a subtle way, by wearing some gifts that Dan had given them in the past.  

 

 

 David wore his Livestrong shirt, which was a birthday gift: 

Ben wore one of the bike jerseys that Dan gave him at our “Plastic Bag Christmas.” This was the Christmas where Dan did all of his shopping at Dick’s, where he worked.  He did not wrap his gifts.  When it was time to present each gift, Dan said, “Close your eyes,” and tossed a plastic Dick’s Sporting Goods bag into the recipient’s lap.  (It reminded me of the Peanuts’ Thanksgiving special, where Snoopy tosses plates of popcorn at Charlie Brown and Company.)

Dan bought the jerseys for Ben because he was happy that Ben participated in the MS Bike to the Bay and wanted to encourage that shared interest. Dan rode in the Livestrong Challenge for 5 years, never finishing below 4^th place and always leading the cancer survivors.  

I am glad that the guys were able to participate in one of Dan’s favorite activities, and that they took a little bit of Dan with them.  I think Dan would smile if he’d been able to see their happy faces as they returned home, covered with mud splatter! (I’m sure he would have approved of their stopping at Rita’s on the way home, too.)